AstroForge has launched the first commercial spacecraft attempting to travel beyond the moon, marking a significant step toward mining precious metals from asteroids. The Odin probe, roughly the size of a window air conditioner, was sent into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on February 26 alongside other payloads including Intuitive Machines’ Athena lunar lander. The spacecraft is heading toward asteroid 2022 OB5, which scientists believe contains valuable platinum deposits. However, the mission is currently facing operational challenges as the team works to establish consistent communication with the probe. “We don’t fully understand the state of the vehicle,” said … Continue reading AstroForge’s ‘Odin’ Faces Communication Issues on Asteroid Mission