The Moon has been hit by solar winds for billions of years. This constant bombardment has led to the buildup of helium-3 on its surface. Unlike Earth, helium-3 is rare here, but it’s gaining popularity in industries like quantum computing. This rising demand has motivated companies to look into lunar mining.
One such company is Interlune, a startup from Seattle. They focus on extracting helium-3 from the Moon. Recently, Interlune made headlines by signing a big commercial deal to sell helium-3 to various sectors, including national security and health industries.
On a recent Tuesday, Interlune announced a partnership with Bluefors, a major player in manufacturing dilution refrigerators. These systems rely on helium-3 to keep quantum computers cool, a crucial need for maintaining qubit stability. As quantum computing progresses, with firms like Google and IBM making strides, the need for helium-3 is expected to surge.
Bluefors has committed to buying up to 10,000 liters of helium-3 yearly from Interlune from 2028 to 2037. Given that helium-3 is valued at about $2,500 per liter, this deal represents the largest purchase of lunar resources so far. As Rob Meyerson, co-founder and CEO of Interlune, stated, “A majority of the quantum technology industry relies on Bluefors systems.” This partnership could unlock significant scientific and medical advancements, all thanks to extreme cooling temperatures.
Interlune was founded in 2020 by Meyerson, former Blue Origin president, along with Gary Lai and Harrison Schmitt, the last living Apollo 17 astronaut. Schmitt, a geologist, has long pushed for using the Moon’s helium-3 resources. Over the past five years, Interlune has gathered more than $18 million in funding, aiming to develop robotic harvesters and launch a demonstration mission by 2027, with a pilot plant by 2029. However, they face several challenges—technological, logistical, and financial—before successfully mining the Moon by 2028.
While excitement about mining the Moon is growing, experts caution that the actual amount of helium-3 is uncertain. Even the highest concentrations found in past missions are still relatively low. The potential is there, but for now, the helium-3 remains more of a promise than a product. Nevertheless, Interlune’s deal with Bluefors hints at increasing demand in the quantum computing field and points toward a potentially new chapter in obtaining resources from space.
According to a report by The Edelgas Group, the helium-3 market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. This growth reflects the rising interest in technologies reliant on this isotope. As the landscape of space exploration continues to evolve, lunar mining might transform from a distant dream into an exciting reality.
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blue origin,Helium,Quantum computing,the moon
