Astra Dunamis connects the worlds of space mining and manufacturing, commercial explosives, and government regulation to enable a future where the safe use of explosives and similarly energetic processes in space environments can become a reality. By leveraging our experience in commercial terrestrial blasting and terrestrial explosives regulation and merging it with concepts in current and developing space and environmental law and sustainability, we will build the framework today for the out-of-this-world blasters of tomorrow. As we pave the way for these kinds of space activities, we will better the technologies used on Earth while expanding humankind’s knowledge of the universe.
Development of standards and regulations for blasting in space environments
Blasting on Earth is generally considered an ultra-hazardous activity. Why? Because when we blast, we harness nearly unimaginable amounts of energy, produced almost instantaneously, and while on Earth, we've become very good at understanding how to control that energy to ensure safe and effective blasts, sometimes things go wrong. On Earth we know what to expect from flying debris, vibration waves, and shock waves, and our design principles are pretty dialed in. Space environments represent an entirely new venue, with different gravitational regimes, little to no atmosphere, radiation, abrasive dusts, and wide variations in temperature.
On Earth we have rules and regulations that work well within the terrestrial realm to protect Earth people, Earth property, and the Earth's environment.
Astra Dunamis is dedicated to developing the standards and rules and regulations we propose should govern the use of explosives and similarly energetic processes in space environments, especially as commercial actors begin to seek opportunities on the moon, Mars, and other bodies. We begin by developing a base set of standards alongside developing technology, and then allow those to dictate where research is required to further refine the rules and better understand the challenges of working in space environments.
Development of technology for blasting in space environments
Using explosives for excavation and construction on Earth is relatively easy compared to the conditions that will be experienced working in space environments. On Earth, our design principles work well and standard practices are well understood across the industry. When things do go catastrophically wrong, which thankfully is uncommon, we pretty much know what to expect from the fallout. In addition, rarely, are Earth blasters faced with having to select special explosive products that will be able to perform in very cold or very hot environments, except those few working in Arctic regions or in 'hot hole' conditions.
None of this will be the case when it comes to conducting blasting operations on Moon, Mars, inside an asteroid capture system, or anywhere else in the solar system. Blasting in space environments means having to develop products and technology that can be used both safely and effectively in rigorous space environments.
Astra Dunamis is dedicated to exploring the development of technologies that will enable future space blasters to safely and effectively excavate, build, research, and harvest natural resources on our celestial neighbors.
Cross-over technology for terrestrial blasting in extreme environments
One of the greatest returns humanity has received from reaching for the stars has been new innovative products that make life better, safer, and more productive here on Earth. From Velcro to food that can survive long term storage, we have all benefited from the new technologies researched with an eye toward life in space. We believe it to be no different with respect to explosives products and technologies.
Astra Dunamis will develop blasting and explosives products and technologies for use in space environments, and in so doing will develop better products and processes for extreme Earth environments as well. (see Terra Dunamis)
Preseed Funding
​Dunamis A-T-G is currently seeking pre-seed support. We are actively developing core technology concepts, writing a base series of standards and proposed regulations for commercial applications of explosives in space environments, and seeking avenues to bring our work to the appropriate markets and organizations. If you or your company are involved in space resource mining technologies and wish to participate in funding our activities, please contact us. If you or your company would like to discuss how our work may be mutually beneficial, we'd love to hear from you!