Scientists have analyzed rare carbonaceous chondrites to uncover the composition of carbon-rich asteroids, identifying potential resources for future space exploration. The study, led by researchers at the Institute of Space Sciences, suggests certain asteroid types could yield water and materials, though large-scale mining remains challenging. Published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the findings highlight promising targets for missions to the Moon and Mars.
A team from the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC), affiliated with the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), has delved into the makeup of C-type asteroids by studying carbonaceous chondrites—rare meteorites that represent just 5% of falls to Earth. These fragile rocks, often recovered from deserts like the Sahara or Antarctica, offer insights into the chemical composition and evolutionary history of small, undifferentiated asteroids, remnants from the solar system's formation 4.56 billion years ago.
Led by astrophysicist Josep M. Trigo-Rodríguez, the researchers characterized samples and used mass spectrometry at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, under Professor Jacinto Alonso-Azcárate, to examine the six most common types of these chondrites. "The scientific interest in each of these meteorites is that they sample small, undifferentiated asteroids, and provide valuable information on the chemical composition and evolutionary history of the bodies from which they originate," Trigo-Rodríguez explained.
The analysis reveals that asteroids vary widely in composition due to collisions and solar proximity, with some rich in water-bearing minerals but low in metals. While extracting precious elements from most asteroids appears unviable due to low abundances, the study points to pristine asteroids showing olivine and spinel signatures as better candidates for mining. Predoctoral researcher Pau Grèbol Tomás noted, "most asteroids have relatively small abundances of precious elements, and therefore the objective of our study has been to understand to what extent their extraction would be viable."
Co-author Jordi Ibáñez-Insa from Geosciences Barcelona emphasized the challenges: "Although most small asteroids have surfaces covered in fragmented material called regolith—and it would facilitate the return of small amounts of samples—developing large-scale collection systems to achieve clear benefits is a very different matter." The team advocates for sample-return missions to confirm links between meteorites and asteroids, alongside technological advances for low-gravity extraction.
Trigo-Rodríguez, who curates NASA's Antarctic meteorite collection at ICE-CSIC, sees potential in water-rich asteroids for fuel and life support, reducing Earth launches for deep-space trips. He added that such efforts could aid planetary defense by mitigating hazardous asteroids. The research, detailed in a 2026 paper in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (DOI: 10.1093/mnras/staf1902), underscores the need for in-situ resource use in space exploration.