Deep Space Industries
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Overview
Deep Space Industries (DSI) was an American company focused on asteroid mining and space resource utilization. It aimed to prospect, harvest, and process materials from near-Earth asteroids to supply fuel and raw materials for space missions. The company was acquired by Bradford Space in 2019 and subsequently shut down its asteroid mining operations.
By the Numbers
Founders
Serial entrepreneur in the space industry who previously co-founded Lunar Enterprise Corporation and worked on commercial space ventures for decades. He served as CEO of Deep Space Industries from its founding.
He previously worked on projects with NASA and was one of the earliest advocates for commercial lunar and asteroid resource utilization.
A prominent space entrepreneur and advocate, Tumlinson co-founded the Space Frontier Foundation and was instrumental in early commercial space development. He brought significant public visibility to DSI through his passionate advocacy for space settlement.
Tumlinson is known as one of the most vocal proponents of space colonization and has been called a 'space revolutionary' by major media outlets.
Funding
Competitors
Better-funded rival asteroid mining company backed by Google executives; acquired by ConsenSys in 2018 before also shutting down.
Focuses on optical mining and space logistics for asteroid resource extraction, still active as of 2024.
Next-generation asteroid mining startup founded in 2022 with more modern funding and a refinery-first approach.
Key People
Took over as CEO from David Gump and led DSI through its later years until the Bradford Space acquisition. Previously worked in spacecraft systems development.
Revenue & Model
Tech Stack
Web Presence
Verified from public records — not AI-estimated.
How They're Doing
Deep Space Industries was acquired by Bradford Space in January 2019, ending its independent asteroid mining ambitions. Bradford Space retained some of DSI's propulsion technology (the Comet water-based propulsion system) but discontinued the asteroid mining program entirely. The deepspaceindustries.com domain remains registered but the company no longer operates as an independent entity.
●Acquired by Bradford Space in January 2019 for an undisclosed amount
●Asteroid mining operations and prospecting mission plans were cancelled post-acquisition
Prognosis
As an independent company, Deep Space Industries no longer exists in any meaningful operational form. Its legacy lives on through Bradford Space's propulsion technology derived from DSI's work. The broader asteroid mining industry it helped pioneer remains nascent, with new entrants like AstroForge continuing the mission.
●DSI's propulsion technology (Comet thruster) could see commercial success under Bradford Space
●Revival of interest in space resources could prompt brand or IP reuse
●No independent operations remain — company effectively defunct
●Asteroid mining as an industry has struggled to achieve commercial viability
Recent News
Bradford Space acquires Deep Space Industries, discontinues asteroid mining program
SpaceNews
DSI announces Comet water-based propulsion system for small satellites
SpaceFlight Insider
Deep Space Industries announces Prospector-1 asteroid mining mission plan
Space.com
Controversies
The company was quietly acquired by Bradford Space and its flagship asteroid mining mission was cancelled, disappointing the space resource community that had followed DSI's ambitious promises since 2013.
Fun Facts
- 01DSI was announced on January 22, 2013, just months after competitor Planetary Resources made headlines, sparking a brief 'asteroid mining race' narrative in the press.
- 02The company proposed tiny spacecraft called 'FireFlies' weighing only 25kg to prospect asteroids before larger harvesting missions.
- 03DSI envisioned 3D printing spacecraft parts in orbit using asteroid-derived metals, a concept that remains unrealized to this day.
Timeline
Acquired by Bradford Space in January; asteroid mining operations and Prospector-1 mission cancelled
Launches Comet water-based propulsion thruster product for commercial small satellite market
Announces Prospector-1, planned as first commercial asteroid prospecting mission
Company pivots to also developing small satellite propulsion technology to generate near-term revenue
Deep Space Industries publicly founded and announced with ambitious asteroid mining roadmap
Domain deepspaceindustries.com registered (May 30, 2012), preceding the public company announcement