American startup Interlune has proposed a pioneering project to commercially extract helium-3 from the Moon and transport it back to Earth. This plan was reported by Ars Technica, highlighting its potential to reshape energy and computing futures.
Helium-3 is a stable isotope of helium that consists of two protons and one neutron. It is produced by nuclear fusion in the Sun and carried through space by the solar wind.
Earth’s magnetosphere repels this particle flow, making helium-3 exceedingly scarce on our planet. Small quantities have been produced only in nuclear weapons tests or certain nuclear reactors. In contrast, the Moon lacks a global magnetosphere, and scientists estimate its regolith contains substantial quantities of helium-3. Some projections put the lunar reserves at well over a million tons, a figure that would carry extraordinary economic implications if mined and utilized. Early estimates place the value of these reserves at a level that would surpass many nations’ annual GDPs, reflecting the enormous potential of this resource in a future energy and technology landscape.
Rob Meyerson, a co founder of Interlune, has noted a growing interest in helium-3 across several high tech sectors. In the near term, demand is anticipated from the superconducting quantum computing industry and advanced medical imaging. Over the long arc, helium-3 is envisioned as a fuel source for fusion reactors, a development that could alter the pace of clean energy breakthroughs and the design of future power systems.
Interlune outlines a staged approach that begins with a pilot mission to collect helium-3 from lunar regolith planned for 2026. If successful, the company envisions a first full scale facility becoming operational around 2028, with guarantees of a steady supply to Earth by 2030. Transportation of the gas is expected to be handled by established aerospace companies that are advancing reusable lunar landing modules and Earth moon delivery systems. The plan envisions close coordination with partner launch providers to maintain reliable logistics between the Moon and terrestrial facilities.
Historical efforts related to lunar and Martian exploration have included exploratory work on energy systems that could someday support sustained off Earth operations. In recent years NASA and other space agencies have conducted research into power sources and reactor concepts suitable for lunar and Martian environments, laying groundwork for the kinds of technologies that would enable large scale resource extraction in space. Those past activities provide a context for Interlune’s proposal, illustrating the long standing interest in how extra planetary resources might augment Earth based energy and technology sectors. This conversation has continued to evolve as private sector capabilities in propulsion, in-situ resource utilization, and space logistics mature.