The First Secret Asteroid Mission Won’t Be the Last AstroForge, a private company, plans to conduct a secret mission to mine an asteroid near Earth. This marks a shift towards private interests in space exploration, raising concerns about transparency and regulation. The company aims to keep its target asteroid confidential to prevent competitors from seizing its valuable metals. The mission, named Odin, is set to launch in the coming year and will be the first wholly commercial deep-space mission beyond the moon. The company has raised $13 million from investors and is confident in its financial prospects. However, some experts advocate for more transparency, as the asteroid's scientific value could be significant. Despite the secrecy, it may be possible for amateur astronomers to track the spacecraft's destination after its launch.