Offworld: resources out of this world

Abstract

Despite major uncertainties and extreme costs of failure, space mining is evolving as a highly attractive industry for private companies, investors, and governments alike. This case study presents the position of OffWorld, a developer of autonomous swarm robotic mining systems for resource exploitation, extraction, and utilisation in the extreme environments of space. Although the space mining market offers a plethora of promising opportunities, this paper raises ethical concerns and highlights the implications these can have on Off World’s strategy going forward, especially in the identification of customers. The topic is analysed using a stakeholder theory of management and business ethics theories.