AstroForge’s Odin mission, launched on February 26, 2025, marks a significant step in commercial asteroid mining. The mission’s primary objective is to conduct a flyby of asteroid 2022 OB5 to evaluate its mining potential and test the company’s proprietary refining technology. However, shortly after deployment, Odin encountered unexpected technical difficulties, leading to concerns about the viability of deep-space mining ventures. As AstroForge and the broader space industry monitor the situation, this mission underscores both the promise and the perils of commercial space mining.
Background on AstroForge
AstroForge, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Huntington Beach,
