Currently, missions to space require that supplies of resources such as fuel and water be carried on board in quantities sufficient to last the duration of the mission. This of course has a dramatic impact on the potential duration of the mission, as well as the weight that can be carried on board in the form of scientific or other payload.

For manned missions to Mars and other distant planetary bodies it becomes essential to develop ways to produce fuel for rovers and return crew exploration vehicles during the mission. Water must also be produced for life support, whether for a mission of finite length or for potential space habitats. Actively mining the moon or other planetary bodies will yield the raw materials for both fuel and water.

Mining technology developed for use here on earth has already been used as the basis for developing the technology required to mine the moon and Mars. Dale Boucher, Director of Research and Development at the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. (NORCAT), indicates NASA and the CSA approached NORCAT several years ago to leverage Northern Ontario's drilling expertise derived through the mining industry. That initial meeting in 2000 developed into a collaboration that continues to date.

There are a number of areas where innovation developed on earth will play a key role in successful extraterrestrial exploration

Navigation and guidance present challenges in both environments. Successful operations in either environment will require mine planning, production planning, mining support and logistics, ground support, and knowledge of maintenance and equipment life cycles.

Remote operation is becoming standard for a number of applications in the mining industry. Since initial missions to the moon and Mars will be unmanned, it is essential that exploration and excavation equipment (such as a drill) be able to operate, not only remotely, but autonomously. This means that the machine, through detailed programming, will be able to make decisions without the continuous input of an operator.

Small businesses with expertise in remote operation are well situated to develop technology with and for space agencies and then market autonomy solutions developed to the mining industry.

Businesses presently involved in mining equipment development and supply have a unique opportunity to utilize new technological advances made by space exploration agencies and to develop new markets for their product.

In 2005, John Gammon, then assistant deputy minister of the Mines and Minerals Division for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, said NORCAT's involvement in the space exploration could result in a number of spin-off companies in Sudbury, akin to "our own Silicon Valley in space-related mining applications."

How then, do other companies take advantage of this business opportunity and access new technology?

One very effective way is through conferences such as the Planetary and Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium, (PTMSS). Sponsored by NORCAT, in partnership with Cambrian College and the Canadian Space Agency over the past two years, the conference brings together leading experts in the mining industry and scientists and engineers from the space sector and has become a breeding ground for partnerships.

Each year the conference organizers choose a theme of significance to both mining on earth and mining in space. The theme of the conference this year is transportation and mobility. The first day of the conference is traditionally devoted to plenary sessions led by mining experts and scientists from the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, and to technology demonstrations that take place at NORCAT's training mine in Onaping.

Subsequent days involve presentations on a variety of topics related to terrestrial and extraterrestrial mining. The conference website www.ptmss.com has links to programs from the first two years.

Darryl Lake, NORCAT's chief executive officer, is committed to hosting this annual conference. "We want this conference to continue being a venue within which Northern Ontario could effectively establish its position as the mining technologies supplier, not just to the world, but to the solar system."

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