Phase 0 of every asteroid mining operation. Probe core sampling is permitted. Anchoring, excavation, and extraction are not.
Provide high-resolution data on both mineral resources and long-term habitability / hollow-base potential so the operator can select asteroids that are economically viable and can become permanent bases. ASI analysis is advisory. The selection score is unset.
Probes operate in parallel with orbital shipyard construction. Only asteroids that meet the selection criteria are selected for full mining fleet deployment. The score is an open question on IPLS-3.1-001. The operator selects. ASI analysis is advisory.
Requirement: See IPLS-3.1-001. Probe core sampling is permitted in Phase 0. Anchoring, excavation, and extraction are not, until Phase 0 is complete.
Rationale: Eliminates risk and ensures only high-value, structurally suitable asteroids are selected for full operations, preserving multi-century economic and safety margins.
Open Questions: None at v0.7
Requirement: All mineral-profiling probes shall perform simultaneous high-resolution resource mapping and habitability/hollow-base compatibility assessment (structural integrity, volatiles, radiation shielding potential).
Rationale: Enables selection of asteroids that are not only economically viable but can become permanent self-sustaining bases without additional scouting missions.
Requirement: Probes shall deliver quantitative 3D maps of mineral composition, volatile content, and economic value using hyperspectral imaging, neutron/gamma spectroscopy, and in-situ core sampling. There is no Phase 0 sample-return vehicle.
Rationale: Provides the data foundation for precise resource valuation and ISRU planning.
Requirement: Probes shall assess asteroid internal structure, stress distribution, and suitability for large-scale hollowing using seismic, radar, and gravimetric methods. An active seismic source is irreversible and waits for operator consent under IPLS-5.1-002.
Rationale: Identifies asteroids that can safely become permanent habitats rather than one-time mining targets.
Requirement: Probes shall operate as a coordinated swarm with data relay to the nearest command node. A command node is an operator-controlled facility on the 3.1.19 network. PIS-v1 is an upgrade path. On blackout the probe follows the lost-link rule on IPLS-3.1-014.
Rationale: Maximises coverage speed and provides continuous operator visibility during reconnaissance.
Requirement: Consent sequence: the operator selects the target and approves the dataset, the operator authorises fleet departure, then the operator consents to extraction under IPLS-3.1-005. No other authority authorises these steps.
Rationale: Preserves absolute human/post-biological command authority at the critical transition from reconnaissance to operations.
Requirement: Every probe shall incorporate a dedicated self-diagnostic bus with real-time health monitoring and predictive maintenance alerts relayed to the central command layer.
Rationale: Ensures maximum reliability during long-duration reconnaissance phases far from support infrastructure.
Requirement: Probes shall be designed for a minimum 50-year operational life with graceful degradation, field-repairable components via ISRU spares, and TSP-v1 supersession readiness.
Rationale: Supports extended reconnaissance campaigns or reactivation of dormant probes decades later.
Requirement: Probe telemetry, mapping data, and command channels shall use operator-controlled authentication. On veto the asset finishes the current safe step and starts no further step. Quantum-secure means post-quantum cryptography within 3.1.19, or the algorithm set stays open.
Rationale: Protects strategic reconnaissance data and preserves absolute human/post-biological command authority during the critical pre-mining phase.
Requirement: Probes may enter low-power standby after reconnaissance. Reactivation or retarget requires operator consent under IPLS-5.1-002. Phase 0 repair uses carried spares or graceful degradation. ISRU spares apply only after Phase 3 at that body.
Rationale: Maximises long-term asset value and supports multi-century exploration campaigns without discarding hardware.