By: Rachel Butler
Since the Cold War, space has served as a powerful symbol of American identity. It is an arena where national pride, technological daring, and the spirit of exploration converge. It has embodied the same frontier ethos that once drove the settling of the West, while simultaneously showcasing the unity and resolve that defined U.S. competition against rival powers. Yet as space becomes increasingly contested, that legacy of exploration and resolve must now address a new challenge: the rise of space mining.
