The manual Asteroid Catcher allows you to shoot in first person nearby asteroids and process them, to obtain resources (carbon, ice, iron, copper). Unlock Uses Auto Asteroid Catching technology to automatize the device
The Asteroid Catcher is a 5x5 tile device that can pull in nearby asteroids and process them for the raw materials they contain. By hitting the F key, you can take direct control and point/aim at an asteroid and then left click to start pulling it in with the tractor beam. You can then exit this interface by hitting the Q key.
Asteroid Catchers can only process one asteroid at a time, but while it's processing an asteroid (meaning the asteroid is in the center, where lasers are breaking it apart), another asteroid can be partially pulled in with the tractor beam and will automatically be pulled all the way in, once the first asteroid has been processed. There is an upgraded version (Auto Asteroid Catcher) that will automatically target and pull in asteroids without the need for player intervention. This building can be upgraded by looking at it and pressing the U key. As long as you either have the materials on hand or in a warehouse, it will upgrade accordingly as indicated by the red/gold color scheme.