As we dream bigger with our explorations into space, we’re on the brink of a new era where energy, technology, and our day-to-day existence could be transformed forever. Meet Interlune, a Seattle-based startup born from the former minds at Blue Origin, taking daring steps towards lunar mining. Their ambitious target? Extracting helium-3, a rare isotope that’s valued at around $20 million per kilogram. If they pull this off, who knows what kind of tech advancements lie ahead, from nuclear fusion energy options to next-gen quantum computers.
The idea is straightforward yet genius: grab helium-3 from the Moon’s surface, specifically from its regolith (that’s the fancy term for lunar soil), and fly it back to Earth. This isotope has gained major interest due to its potential to power critical industries! Recently, their CEO Rob Meyerson highlighted in an interview with Newsweek, “At $20 million a kilogram, helium-3 is the only resource in the universe that is priced high enough to warrant going to space for.” /p
The Game-changing Potential of Helium-3
The potential of helium-3 stretches far beyond just being rare. Unlike the fossil fuels we use in nuclear fusion nowadays, helium-3 stands out as a cleaner, safer option. Using it in fusion reactors means creating minimal to no radioactive waste—perfect for a sustainable energy future. It’s also a crucial part of quantum computing since it helps in keeping superconducting materials at ultra-low temperatures needed for fast and powerful quantum processors. Not to forget, helium-3 is indispensable in the medical sector, particularly for MRI machines that rely on specific cooling techniques to operate effectively!
Given that helium-3 is pretty much absent on Earth, all eyes are now on the Moon, where researchers estimate there might be over 1 million metric tons of helium-3 just lying around. Interlune sees this as their chance to lead a new industry on Earth based on lunar resources.
Pioneering the Lunar Mining Tech
To achieve this vision, Interlune is whipping up some super advanced tech tailored for the harsh Moon environment. Their main focus is a lunar harvester, a massive machine designed to excavate and process lunar regolith like never before. The mission is not just to dig but to sort, extract, and refine helium-3 from all that Moon dust and rubble.
Rob Meyerson explained, “We start with a big dream of having a fleet of five harvesters, which will refine helium-3 fast, potentially generating tens of kilograms yearly.” But it won’t come easy; they’ll have to tackle significant tech challenges—creating machines that can work in fluctuating Moon gravity and extreme temperatures while also perfecting the chemistry involved in pulling helium-3 from regolith. These harvesters are designed to munch through up to 100 metric tons of lunar soil every hour, essential for keeping demand in check!
However, the success of this mission hinges not only on fantastic tech but also securing crucial private funding and collaborating with other players in the space game. Meyerson pointed out, “It’s a tough road and hinges on outside investment and partnerships.”
Teaming Up: Government and Industry on Board
Interlune is already crafting vital connections with both government and business sectors alike. They recently bagged a deal with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which plans to purchase helium-3 sourced from lunar mining for its own national security and tech research. By 2029, the DOE aims to buy three liters of helium-3, marking Interlune as one of the first companies to secure such an essential deal involving space resources. This collaboration is a clear nod to the growing importance of helium-3 for America and its push to lead in quantum computing and fusion energy.
Furthermore, Interlune inked arrangements with Maybell Quantum, a powerhouse in quantum infrastructure, to show the rising demand for helium-3 in the quantum computing field. They’re on track to purchase truckloads of this precious resource, strengthening the foundation of Interlune’s lunar work!
The current contracts shine a spotlight on the increasing recognition of lunar resources as actual commodities. As demand for helium-3 continues to escalate, being a key player in its delivery could really put Interlune on the map in the space resources sector.
Heavy Lifts and Milestones Community Confronts Ahead
Not to sugar-coat it—while lunar mining has vast rewards, the obstacles Interlune faces are equally intense. A significant roadblock is figuring out how to extract helium-3 from lunar regolith, which is measured in parts per billion! Harvesters have to be unstoppable to gather even the slightest bit of this isotope. Additionally, there’s the need to separate helium-3 from all the other elements and gases mixed in with the lunar soil—this involves using specialized equipment and techniques.
Interlune’s prototype harvester is now being tested under Earth-like conditions, preparing to tackle the unique challenges of zero-gravity environments of the Moon. This rigorous testing is critical, including adapting technology to withstand space vacuums and extremes of temperature. They’re also crafting methods to liquefy helium-3 on the Moon, an essential step for shipping it back home.
Despite these hurdles, Interlune is optimistic that their first exploratory mission in 2027 will lead them toward setting up a full-size mining operation by 2029.
A Helium-3 Powered Future
The effects of successful lunar mining reach far further than just collecting helium-3. If Interlune can provide a steady supply of this resource, the possibilities are practically limitless. Achieving fusion energy through helium-3 could mean endless clean power, meeting our increasing appetite for sustainable fuel. Plus, the isotope’s role in quantum computing might kickstart groundbreaking technologies that our modern computers just can’t reach.
As we journey into the cosmos, the role of luring resources like helium-3 from the Moon is crucial for the future of Earth’s economy. Interlune’s endeavors signify only the start of what might be a new space race, one focused not on power, but on resources that could support generations to come.
As Gary Lai, co-founder and CTO of Interlune, put it, “When there’s an abundance of anything, humans will figure out how to use it. Given its unique properties, I’m confident that, as it becomes more accessible, people will find ever more amazing uses for this one-of-a-kind isotope.”
