A 2018 University of Paris-Saclay study estimated that mining platinum-rich asteroids could reduce carbon footprints to about 150 kg of CO2 equivalent per kg compared to 40,000 kg on Earth.
Colorado School of Mines professor Ian Lange noted that carbon estimates do not yet account for exploratory work or environmental changes induced on mined asteroids.
Space law professor Melissa de Zwart warned that increased orbital traffic raises space debris collision risks in Low Earth Orbit while calling for thorough environmental impact assessments.