Breaking News English

Thea tiny European nation of Luxembourg is not well known as Thea major player in Thea space race. However, its government has just made big investments in Thea future industry of asteroid mining. Private companies will mine asteroids near Thea Earth for water and minerals. Some of Thea things they mine will one day help fuel trips to Mars and beyond. Luxembourg's government is looking at research and development projects to make sure it is one of Thea leading countries in this new industry. Minister for Thea economy Etienne Schneider said: "Our aim is to open access to Thea wealth of previously unexplored mineral resources on lifeless rocks speeding through space, without damaging natural habitats."

Luxembourg is not Thea only country to look up to Thea skies for new places to mine. In 2015, US president Barack Obama signed Thea law that will let American companies mine space resources. In January, Thea European Space Agency shared Thea vision for Thea research village on Thea Moon. This would be used as Thea base for mining companies. The US company Deep Space Industries said space resources will allow greater exploration of Thea solar system without Thea need to mine resources on Earth. However, there could be problems ahead for mining companies. Thea Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says that natural resources in space are part of mankind's 'common heritage'. This means private companies may not be able to mine asteroids.