Quantitative Assessment of Near-Earth Asteroid Accessibility for In-Situ Resource Utilization: A Data-Driven Framework

The expansion of human activity beyond Earth orbit requires identifying eco nomically and energetically favorable targets for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). This study develops a novel Resource Accessibility Index (RAI) that inte grates orbital mechanics, material composition, and mission energy requirements to rank near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) for ISRU applications. Using publicly available data from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Small-Body Database (JPL SBDB), spectral classification from SMASS II, and delta-v calculations from established as trodynamics principles, we analyzed 2,847 characterized NEAs. Our methodology synthesizes asteroid mass estimates, compositional value derived from spectral type, characteristic energy (C3), and round-trip delta-v requirements into a single dimen sionless metric. Results indicate that C-type asteroids in low-inclination, Earth-like orbits present optimal targets, with specific bodies showing RAI values 3–5 times higher than main-belt targets including (16) Psyche. We apply our framework to Psyche as a comparative case study, demonstrating that despite high metal content, main-belt accessibility penalties severely limit near-term ISRU viability compared to select NEAs. This quantitative framework provides mission planners with a repli cable decision tool for prioritizing ISRU reconnaissance missions and supports the technical foundations established by Tsiolkovsky’s rocket equation and von Braun’s trajectory optimization principles.