Minerals will be mined on the Moon

US startup Interlune has announced its plans to mine helium-3 on the Moon by 2030. If all goes according to plan, it will be the first private company to take responsibility for extracting natural resources on the Moon and delivering them to Earth.

Helium-3, synthesised by the Sun and abundantly stored on the Moon, could be an important source of fuel for quantum computing, medical devices and even fusion reactors. Interlune plans to place a test rig on the moon by 2028 and begin production in 2030. The company has already received $18 million in funding, including $15 million from venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, founded by the Reddit co-founder. In addition, the company has partnered with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and even has the backing of NASA.

Helium-3 on the moon is carried by the solar wind and remains in the soil due to the lack of a magnetosphere blocking it from reaching Earth. This project opens new perspectives in the exploration and utilisation of space resources.

Add new comment