[Simon_O_Rourke]

Good point, but the assumptions are that this metal would then be used in potentially life critical systems and would require the full rigor of quality assessments for such materials. Not too sure how that might work in LEO.

[MattExSci]

The physics don't work to bring this stuff back to LEO. We’ve got to use the atmosphere to slow us down.

[grey-area]

How are you planning to do that in future missions? Sending up a a capsule or heat shield for sample return, or is the ultimate goal to return a larger mass and lose some?

Pre-built sample return has been proven to work with another asteroid in a small way I guess, the Hayabusa mission.

[thomquaid]

well, nothing is really ever lost

[pengaru]

The vacuum of space seems like an ideal environment for producing high purity metals.

[adrianN]

Once you have all the expensive fragile gear in orbit…

[HPsquared]

That's an interesting research area!