#12 - The Commercial Case for Lunar Exploration & Mining on the Moon with Simon Drake

Today, I am speaking with Simon Drake, an entrepreneur and investor in the space industry. Simon is the Founding Partner of Space Ventures Investors, focusing on early-stage startups. He is also the CEO of Space Commodities Exchange and Lunar Resources Registry, two organisations focused on the lunar economy.

Simon and I talk about the lunar exploration market, the commercial case for going to the Moon and the importance of involving the mining industry in extracting resources on the Moon. We also discuss the feasibility of asteroid mining as well as the arguments for investing in the lunar economy.

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01:12: Simon's story and what his work involves

08:28: Why go to the Moon? What is the cislunar economy?

19:23: Why would governments and people be interested in mining the Moon?

23:42: Do the mining industry see a business case in the Moon?

27:43: How big of a milestone will Starship be in kicking off the lunar economy?

31:45: Is continuous human presence on the Moon necessary?

35:18: What is the deal with asteroid mining?

38:48: What is the argument for investors to back lunar exploration companies?

45:15: What can go wrong with respect to the lunar exploration plans?

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