Giant planetary mining
Giant planetary mining is an important component of the Solar System's space industries, as it acts to tap the virtually infinite supplies of deuterium (hydrogen) and helium in gas giants, or heavier elements such as carbon, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. Although these elements can also be found in asteroids or in other planetary atmospheres, the sheer quantity of matter and ease of access that giant planets offer have led to the proliferation of giant planetary mining on Perkunos, Phainon, and Tiamat. However, some of these giants display massive radiation fields and gravity wells, making mining yield negative returns in the long run. In addition, giants that lie too far from the common markets run minimal profit when their product is shipped inward.
The process by which giant planetary mining is accomplished is primarily through automated atmospheric harvesting platforms, which send their products upward through ramscoops or balloon vehicles to be collected. Most platforms exist in the superficial layers as a result of the risks of immense pressures deeper within; these platforms collect hydrogen and helium in gas giants, or a mixture of hydrogen, helium, and methane gas in ice giants. Deeper platforms are more often research-based in nature.