A private company is preparing to launch one of the most ambitious commercial space projects to date—extracting helium-3 from the Moon to fuel next-generation nuclear fusion and quantum computing technologies. This rare isotope, largely absent on Earth, could play a critical role in future energy solutions. However, the initiative raises complex questions regarding feasibility, legality, and the long-term implications of lunar resource extraction.
With private space ventures gaining momentum, Interlune, a startup founded by a former Blue Origin engineer and an Apollo 17 astronaut, is positioning itself at the forefront of lunar mining. Following the successful landing of Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost mission on March 16, the landscape of private lunar exploration is evolving rapidly.
Interlune plans to launch Prospect Moon, a mission scheduled for no earlier than 2027, which will assess the potential of mining helium-3 directly from the Moon’s surface. If the results confirm commercially viable deposits, the company aims to establish large-scale operations, paving the way for a new era of lunar resource utilization.
Why Helium-3?
Helium-3 is a non-radioactive isotope with unique properties that make it highly valuable for several cutting-edge applications:
- Nuclear Fusion: Considered a potential fuel for fusion reactors, helium-3 could enable cleaner energy production without the radioactive waste associated with traditional nuclear fission.
- Quantum Computing: The isotope’s ability to reach extremely low temperatures makes it essential for superconducting quantum computers and other advanced technologies.
- Medical and Scientific Research: Helium-3 plays a role in particle physics experiments, cryogenics, and medical imaging techniques.
Unlike helium-4, which is abundant on Earth, helium-3 exists in trace amounts, with a natural ratio of just 1:1,000,000 compared to helium-4. The Moon, however, has been exposed to solar wind for billions of years, allowing helium-3 to accumulate in its regolith—the layer of loose soil and dust covering the lunar surface. Some estimates suggest that a single kilogram of helium-3 could be worth up to $20 million, making lunar mining an attractive prospect.
Challenges and Unresolved Questions
Despite the potential advantages, several challenges remain:
- Resource Uncertainty: While Apollo missions brought back lunar samples containing helium-3, the actual concentration and distribution remain unclear. Whether deposits are large enough to support mining at a commercial scale is still unknown.
- Legal and Regulatory Barriers: Under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, no country can claim sovereignty over the Moon. This raises critical legal questions about ownership, territorial rights, and international cooperation in extraterrestrial mining.
- Environmental and Cultural Considerations: While some argue that the absence of life on the Moon eliminates environmental concerns, others emphasize its scientific and cultural significance, cautioning against large-scale disruptions to its landscape.
Speaking to New Scientist, Clive Neal, an unpaid scientific consultant for Interlune, dismissed environmental concerns, stating:
There’s no life on there, so why do we need to preserve the environment?
However, he acknowledged the importance of global discussions on the Moon’s cultural and historical value, emphasizing that multiple perspectives must be considered before significant modifications are made to the lunar surface.
Interlune has secured private investment and received a $375,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support its research efforts. If the Prospect Moon mission proves successful, the company could pave the way for commercial lunar mining within the next decade.
However, global policy discussions, scientific research, and technological advancements will determine whether helium-3 extraction can truly become a sustainable and economically viable industry. As private companies push further into space, the debate over how humanity should utilize extraterrestrial resources is only just beginning.
