Asteroid Miners Reach K Street Orbit

A company seeking to mine asteroids is adding lobbyists.

A company seeking to mine asteroids is adding lobbyists. NASA

Planetary Resources has retained Dick Gephardt as a lobbyist.

A Seattle-area company developing technology to mine asteroids for valuable raw materials like platinum is expanding its Beltway presence.

Planetary Resources has retained former House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt as a lobbyist, according to a filing made public this week.

The hiring of Gephardt Government Affairs is the second prominent lobbying shop that Planetary Resources has brought on. The company retained K&L Gates last year.

The company's futuristic vision—which includes the possibility of deterring a dangerous earthbound asteroid—has attracted lots of ink.

Google's top executives are investors in the company, and Hollywood director James Cameron is an adviser.