NASA-Backed Startup Aims to Bag Asteroids for Space Mining

TransAstra unveils ambitious plan to capture and relocate asteroids to Earth's orbit for resource extraction.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:20pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spiral patterns, conceptually representing the complex technical process of capturing and relocating an asteroid for resource extraction.An ambitious plan to bag and relocate asteroids could revolutionize the future of space mining and resource extraction.Los Angeles Today

A Los Angeles-based startup called TransAstra, backed by NASA, has unveiled an ambitious plan to capture asteroids using large inflatable bags and relocate them to a stable orbit near Earth. The goal is to overcome the challenges of asteroid mining and extract valuable resources like water, precious metals, and other materials essential for space exploration.

Why it matters

Asteroid mining has long been a tantalizing prospect, but the logistics of extracting resources from these celestial bodies have proven difficult. TransAstra's plan to bag and move asteroids closer to Earth could revolutionize the field of space resource utilization, opening up new possibilities for sustainable space exploration and development.

The details

TransAstra developed a 32-foot Capture Bag that was successfully tested on the International Space Station in October 2025. The company is now preparing to test a full-sized version of the bag at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Their first asteroid retrieval mission is slated to launch as early as 2028, with plans for subsequent missions to extract and process the captured resources.

  • In October 2025, TransAstra successfully tested its 32-foot Capture Bag on the International Space Station.
  • TransAstra is preparing to test a full-sized version of the Capture Bag at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2026.
  • TransAstra's first asteroid retrieval mission is set to launch as early as 2028.

The players

TransAstra

A Los Angeles-based startup that has developed a plan to capture and relocate asteroids to Earth's orbit for resource extraction. The company received a $2.5 million contract from NASA's Commercial Research and Products program to support its innovative approach.

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What’s next

TransAstra's first asteroid retrieval mission is set to launch as early as 2028, followed by subsequent missions to rendezvous with the captured asteroids and initiate the extraction process.

The takeaway

TransAstra's bold plan to bag asteroids and bring them closer to Earth for resource extraction represents a significant step forward in the field of space exploration and resource utilization. If successful, this innovative approach could unlock new possibilities for sustainable space development and help meet the growing demand for essential materials needed to support future space missions and technologies.