Interlune, a Seattle-based startup, has announced an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to deliver helium-3 from the moon to Earth by 2029. However, experts say that despite the hype surrounding lunar resources, our knowledge of these “abundant” resources is surprisingly thin.
Helium-3, a light isotope of helium deposited on the moon’s surface, has been touted as a potential game-changer for clean nuclear fusion and quantum technologies. Proponents claim it could power a new era of energy production, but scientific estimates suggest otherwise.
The data on lunar helium-3 reserves is patchy, with concentrations measured varying widely from 2 parts per billion to 26 ppb. Even the highest measured value is relatively low. The estimated reserves are around 100 million to 1 billion kilograms, dwarfing the roughly 100 kg of helium-3 on Earth.
Private companies like Interlune are targeting small quantities of helium-3 for testing and quantum technologies. However, these companies acknowledge that advances could miniaturize cooling requirements or less resource-hungry technologies may take the lead.
The real business case for helium-3 is not about powering a new era of clean energy but rather about using it in high-value applications like quantum computing and cryogenics. The cost-benefit analysis for lunar mining of helium-3 is unclear, with some experts suggesting that selling kilograms at current prices could cover mission costs.
Ultimately, the value of helium-3 lies in its potential as a niche cryogenic tool, not a miracle fuel. As the technology advances, we may deplete this non-renewable resource before the reactors that need it even come to exist.
Source: https://spacenews.com/lunar-helium-3-separating-market-from-marketing