embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below . in describing embodiments , specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity . however , the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected . a person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other equivalent parts can be employed and other methods developed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . all references cited herein are incorporated by reference as if each had been individually incorporated . embodiments of the present application relate to methods , apparatuses , and systems used to identify , characterize , track , and / or mine asteroids , thereby enabling the retrieval of raw materials from the asteroids , ranging from water to precious or rare metals . fig1 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of prospecting and mining asteroids . according to an embodiment , prospecting the asteroids can begin in step 100 with exploring asteroids to determine their position , composition , and / or the accessibility of their resources . according to embodiments , earth - remote sensing can comprise inspection using ground telescope . additionally or alternatively , one or more exploratory robotic spacecraft ( e . g ., including a space telescope ) can launch from earth and travel to the asteroid ( s ) of interest . for example , the spacecraft can explore , locate , identify , and / or characterize the asteroids of interest , for example , as shown in fig2 . parameters considered while prospecting asteroids can include , for example , which asteroids are easiest to reach energetically , the material needed on them , and the asteroid &# 39 ; s periodicity . additionally or alternatively , the criteria can include : spin rate and pole orientation ; bulk type classification ; size ; existence of binary / ternary ; mass and density ; shape model ; surface morphology and properties ; dust environment ( natural and induced ); gravitational field structure ; homogeneity ( composition ); internal structure ( e . g ., monolithic vs . rubble pile vs . depth ); and / or subsurface properties . additionally or alternatively , the criteria can include general mineral and chemical composition , such as : presence of resource materials to 10 % ( e . g ., h 2 o , volatiles ); presence of metals , such as fe , ni , and co ; and / or trace presence of platinum group metals . these properties can be determined using combinations of known technologies . for example , mineral composition can be determined using spectroscopy , for example reflection spectroscopy . using such techniques , asteroids can be classified into the existing asteroid spectral classification system , into other existing classifications , and into new classifications relevant to prospecting for particular substances . according to an embodiment , detailed information about potential ore bodies can be acquired starting with coarse measurements meant to locate higher quality ore from barren lands , for example , in step 110 . in step 110 , coarse measurements can include flyby missions of the asteroids , for example , using a spacecraft having a space telescope . in step 120 , more sensitive , capable and focused equipment can be utilized as the pool of candidate asteroids is reduced through the prospecting process . this can occur , for example , by rendezvous and orbital missions to the asteroids . ultimately , enough information on asteroid targets can be acquired to identify viable asteroids for mining , e . g ., in step 130 . according to an embodiment , the identification can be based at least in part on the concentration of desired materials , the homogeneity of materials , and the economic feasibility of extraction of materials to market . once commercially viable asteroids are identified from the candidates , in step 140 , spacecraft can access and process ( e . g ., mine ) the resources from the best identified asteroid ( s ), for example , during subsequent campaigns . this can include , for example , performing an initial proof of concept extraction , subsequent scaling up to larger quantities , and then industrialization and automation of the mining processes . according to an embodiment , space resource extraction and development can focus on water - rich asteroids . access to water and other life - supporting volatiles in space can provide hydration , breathable air , radiation shielding , and manufacturing capabilities , among other things . water &# 39 ; s elements , hydrogen and oxygen , can also be used to formulate rocket fuel . according to an embodiment , water can be mined from asteroids and transported to a network of orbital fuel depots ( e . g ., gas stations ) set up across the solar system , thereby reducing the cost of space operations by 100 times or more . using the resources of space to help fuel space exploration can enable large - scale exploration of the solar system , thereby providing a feasible opportunity for the sustainable development of space . according to embodiments , in earth orbit , water from asteroids can also be converted and used to refuel satellites , increase the payload capacity of rockets by refueling their upper stages , reboost space stations , supply propellant needed to boost satellites from low earth orbit to geostationary orbit , provide radiation shielding for spaceships , and provide fuel to space tugs that clean up space debris . metals mined from the asteroids can be returned to earth . to facilitate transportation back to earth , the metals can be converted to a metal foam structure , however , other embodiments are possible . details regarding the process of converting the metals to a metal foam structure can be found in applicant &# 39 ; s co - pending u . s . provisional application no . 61 / 794 , 976 , filed on mar . 15 , 2013 , the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference . as an alternative to , or in addition to , bringing metals back to earth , metals from asteroids can also be used directly in space . metals like iron or aluminum can be moved to collection points in space for purposes such as space construction materials , spacecraft shielding , and raw material for industrial processes at , for example , a space station . referring to fig3 and 4 , an embodiment of a space craft including a space telescope is shown . the space telescope shown in fig3 and 4 can be utilized , for example , in low earth orbit , to explore , examine , and analyze asteroids to identify target asteroids for further consideration . according to embodiments , the space craft shown in fig3 and 4 can include structures , avionics , attitude determination and control , and instrumentation necessary for low - cost asteroid exploration . according to an embodiment , the space telescope of fig3 and 4 can include a precision imaging system . with arc - second resolution , the camera can provide detailed celestial and earth observations where and when desired . through spectroscopy and other remote sensing techniques , a selection of asteroid candidates suitable for resource exploration can be identified . an example of the space telescope shown in fig3 and 4 is the large scale synoptic telescope ( lsst ). further details regarding the space craft and space telescope shown in fig3 and 4 can be found in applicant &# 39 ; s co - pending u . s . provisional application no . 61 / 800 , 813 , filed on mar . 15 , 2013 , the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference . fig5 depicts another space craft including a space telescope . the space craft of fig5 can be similar to that of fig3 and 4 , except that it can further include propulsion capabilities and additional scientific instrumentation . accordingly , the space craft of fig5 can be suitable for an earth - crossing asteroid interceptor mission . according to embodiments , the space craft of fig5 can piggy back with a launched satellite headed for a geostationary orbit , allowing the space craft to be well positioned to fly - by and collect data on prospect asteroids . according to embodiments , two or more of the space craft shown in fig5 can work together as a team to potentially identify , track , and fly - by the asteroids that travel between the earth and our moon . the closest encounters may result in a planned spacecraft “ intercept ,” providing the highest - resolution data . these missions will allow the quick acquisition of data on several near - earth asteroids . referring to fig6 , the spacecraft can be augmented with deep space laser communication capability . this can allow the spacecraft to be launched to a more distant asteroid , much further away from earth . while orbiting the asteroid , the spacecraft can collect data on the asteroid &# 39 ; s shape , rotation , density , and / or surface and sub - surface composition . through the use of multiple space craft , mission risk can be distributed across several units and allow for broad based functionality within the cluster of space craft . the space craft shown in fig6 can also provide low - cost interplanetary spacecraft capability . further details regarding a propulsion system for the space craft of fig5 and 6 can be found in applicant &# 39 ; s co - pending u . s . provisional application no . 61 / 798 , 739 , filed on mar . 15 , 2013 , the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference . a considerable amount of information must be acquired about the ore - body before detailed “ mine planning ” can begin . in - situ extraction and processing technologies can be used to provide access to both asteroidal water and metals . existing rovers , such as the mars rover , can be fitted with exploratory and / or mining capabilities , such as drills , etc ., for the purposes of mining asteroids . additionally , many known technologies and techniques from mining on earth can be applied to asteroid mining . an example of a tool can comprise a constellation of spacecraft that are modified to carry mining , extraction , and processing apparatus . additional tools can include the use of concentrated solar thermal energy directed towards the asteroid from , for instance , a large space deployed solar collector array consisting of inflatable mirrored surfaces precisely angled to focus solar energy in specific directions upon command to process asteroid material through heating . containment method can be used to manage material , an example of which may comprise a large inflatable or expandable storage unit made of material strong enough to contain raw asteroid materials . common centrifuges modified for the space environment can be used to separate materials as necessary . fig7 illustrates an embodiment of a spacecraft approaching an asteroid for mining . according to embodiments , the mining spacecraft can comprise one or more relatively autonomous , robotic units that are operated in conjunction with a command and control housed in a ground station on earth . the command and control can communicate with the mining spacecraft via long range radio antennae or laser communication system . the present application , however , is not limited to the mining spacecraft shown in fig7 . an embodiment of a multi - functional optical subsystem to control the space craft and space telescopes described herein is disclosed in applicant &# 39 ; s co - pending u . s . provisional application no . 61 / 799 , 993 , filed on mar . 15 , 2013 , the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference . an example of a machine manager that can be used to control the spacecraft , satellites , mining spacecraft , robotic mining equipment , and / or other devices described herein can be found in applicant &# 39 ; s co - pending u . s . provisional application no . 61 / 794 , 358 , filed on mar . 15 , 2013 , the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety . the embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention . nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention . all examples presented are representative and non - limiting . the above - described embodiments of the invention may be modified or varied , without departing from the invention , as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings . it is therefore to be understood that , within the scope of the claims and their equivalents , the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described .