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WG3K > ANS 10.02.25 05:12l 17 Lines 4237 Bytes #15 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS040.3
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Subj: Interlune Aims to Mine Lunar Helium-3 for Quantum Computing
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Interlune, a Seattle-based startup founded by former Blue Origin technologists, is aiming to harvest Helium-3 from the moon to support quantum computing applications on Earth. Helium-3, a rare isotope deposited into the lunar regolith by solar wind, was first identified in samples brought back by NASA's Apollo missions. While the potential applications of Helium-3 have intrigued scientists for years, recent astrogeological research highlights significant challenges in extracting the isotope. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) suggests that obtaining commercially viable amounts would require processing millions of tons of lunar regolith, a task comparable to large-scale mining operations on Earth.
Despite these hurdles, Interlune CEO Rob Meyerson remains optimistic. The company envisions an extraction system operating like an agricultural setup, with five harvesters each the size of a large SUV. Meyerson acknowledges that it will take years before the company sees a financial return, but he emphasizes the growing demand for Helium-3 in quantum computing. This isotope plays a critical role in cooling superconducting quantum computers to temperatures close to absolute zero. With quantum computing companies recognizing the need for a stable Helium-3 supply, Interlune believes now is the time to act.
Interlune is not the first to consider the commercial potential of lunar Helium-3. Apollo 17 astronaut and Interlune's executive chairman, Jack Schmitt, has long advocated its use in nuclear fusion reactors. However, investment interest has shifted towards quantum computing applications, which promise quicker returns. Beyond computing, Helium-3 has other potential uses, including medical imaging and radiation detection. Interlune hopes to eventually supply tens of kilograms per year, a goal that Meyerson believes is both realistic and financially sustainable given current market prices of around $20 million per kilogram.
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Interlune-Helium3...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Interlune-Helium3-Lunar-Mining-Illustration.jpg
Concept illustration of lunar Helium-3 mining involving harvesters, a solar power plant, rovers and return launchers. [Credit: Interlunehttps://www.interlune.space/]
However, some experts remain skeptical about the feasibility of large-scale Helium-3 extraction from the moon. Laszlo Keszthelyi, a research geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center, notes that lunar Helium-3 concentrations range from just 2.4 to 26 parts per billion in Apollo samples. Given these figures, obtaining a single kilogram would require processing between 100,000 and 1 million tons of lunar soil. Keszthelyi stops short of dismissing the endeavor outright, stating that the moon does contain resources窶琶t is merely a question of how they can be effectively utilized.
To address these concerns, Interlune is planning a resource development mission in 2027 to analyze Helium-3 concentrations at a potential mining site. This mission will be followed by a pilot plant in 2029 to demonstrate extraction and processing on the lunar surface. The company窶冱 initial lunar mission will launch through NASA窶冱 Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. Interlune is actively securing funding, having already raised $18 million, with plans for another round of fundraising in the near future.
While profitability remains uncertain, experts acknowledge that Interlune窶冱 success will depend on the efficiency of its extraction methods. Chris Dreyer from the Colorado School of Mines notes that certain minerals trap more Helium-3 than others, potentially increasing yield in select locations. However, large-scale excavation will be necessary, posing technical challenges, particularly with lunar dust. Despite these obstacles, Dreyer believes that iterative development窶播esigning, testing, and improving equipment窶把ould make Interlune窶冱 ambitions feasible. As advances in space exploration continue, the prospect of mining Helium-3 on the moon is becoming an increasingly tangible reality.
[ANS thanks the Leonard David, SpaceNewshttps://spacenews.com/,https://www.space.com/ for the above information]
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