US-based space resource company Interlune is partnering with industrial equipment maker Vermeer to extract helium-3 from the moon.
Interlune’s goal is to mine 100 metric tons of lunar soil per hour. They’ll then extract helium-3 and return the remaining soil to the moon’s surface.
What is Helium-3?
Helium-3 is a rare isotope of helium. It’s used in critical applications like:
- quantum computing
- medical imaging
- nuclear fusion
- security screening
- dating ancient artifacts
On Earth, helium-3 makes up just 0.000137% of all helium. But it’s more abundant on the moon.
Interlune’s Plans
Interlune has teamed up with Vermeer to test a full-scale excavator prototype. They’re planning to send it to the moon to start extracting helium-3. The company has already partnered with Maybell Quantum Industries and the US Department of Energy to supply helium-3.
Maybell Quantum will receive thousands of liters between 2029 and 2035 for cooling quantum computers. The US Department of Energy will get 3 liters by April 2029.
The price tag? $20 million per kilogram.
Testing the Tech
Interlune’s got a three-mission plan to test their hardware over the next five years.
1. Crescent Moon: Send a hyperspectral camera to the moon to analyze minerals.
2. Prospect Moon: Land a spacecraft in an area rich in helium-3.
3. Harvest Moon: Test the helium-3 extraction process and return it to Earth.
This could be a major breakthrough in accessing a rare and valuable resource.
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