Japan Joins U.S. in Dangerous Space Race

"Space technology is developed for two primary reasons: to better coordinate warfare on Earth; and to profit from naturally ocurring elements found in space. Nations and corporations view space as the 'new world,' where gold can be found on asteroids, water and helium-3 on the moon, and possibly magnesium, cobalt, and uranium on Mars.

"Corporations intend to venture to these planetary bodies and secure massive profits in the years ahead. But first new space technologies have to be created that make it possible, and cost effective, to 'mine the skies.'" ...