Technology
PDR model of SpaceGold’s Mining Engine
The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) is a technical assessment that establishes the Allocated Baseline of a system to ensure a system is operationally effective. A PDR is conducted before the start of detailed design work and is the first opportunity to closely observe the hardware and software design. This review assesses the allocated design documented in subsystem product specifications for each configuration item in the system and ensures that each function, in the Functional Baseline, has been allocated to one or more system configuration items. The PDR establishes the allocated baseline (hardware, software, human/support systems) and underlying architectures to ensure that the system under review has a reasonable expectation of satisfying the requirements within the currently allocated budget and schedule.
The Technology Behind the SpaceGold Mining Engine

While the Chem Cam laser used by the Curiosity rover on Mars uses remote laser vaporization to produce a spectrum, other laser plumes are produced in mass spectrometers that identify molecules according to the charge and mass of the resulting ion. Just as chromatography is used to process as well as identify chemicals, so quadrupole ionic separator of sufficient capacity may be used to isolate materials. This is how SpaceGold Corporation mines, refines, and mints physical gold bars in space from physical gold found in the regolith of asteroids still floating in Outer Space.
Concept Maturity Level
