[unfortunateface]

A auction in which everyone interested bids on access to an asteroid based on...

- Time they have access to asteroid

- Type of resource they want to extract

- Quantity of resource they want to extract

Time cost is paid upfront and distributed evenly amongst worlds countries.

Type/Qty is paid for on return to Earth in either cash or using resource itself.

[knowaveragejoe]

This sounds reasonable to me. Can anyone point out some shortcomings of an auction-approach? The only thing that stands out to me is if a party has the means they can buy every auction out.

[logfromblammo]

There will also be people who do not intend to return to Earth.