Interlune, a Seattle-based natural resources company, agreed with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Isotope Program (DOE IP) to sell three liters of helium-3, a rare isotope found on the Moon. This marks the first instance of a government acquiring non-terrestrial resources. Helium-3 will be harvested from the Moon and delivered by 2029. Earlier today, we learned that Interlune plans to use infrastructure from a pilot plant operational on the lunar surface. The DOE of the U.S. seeks solutions to a helium-3 supply crisis. Commonly used in quantum computing cooling systems, medical imaging, and fusion energy research, helium-3 is virtually absent on Earth but exists in lunar regolith.
Harvesting involves processing large quantities of lunar soil directly on the Moon. Interlune claims its machinery is smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient than conventional industry designs, reducing transport costs. While intriguing, the practical and economic feasibility of extracting, processing, and transporting helium-3 from the Moon remains uncertain. Technological readiness for such ventures has yet to be verified at large-scale operations, and operators face the ongoing challenge of managing the exorbitant costs.
Interlune secures first commercial client
Interlune has signed its first commercial customer, Maybell Quantum. The quantum computing firm committed to purchasing thousands of liters of helium-3 for yearly delivery from 2029 to 2035. The isotope will fuel Maybell Quantum’s dilution refrigerators. Helium-3 is crucial for cooling quantum devices to near absolute-zero temperatures. Maybell Quantum anticipates the growth of quantum computing applications alongside helium-3 demand.
Critics might question whether lunar helium-3 harvesting aligns with the projected scaling of the quantum computing market. Alternatives, such as synthesizing helium-3 on Earth, remain underexplored yet potentially more cost-efficient. Additionally, relying solely on lunar mining to meet a future demand spike could lead to significant supply chain vulnerabilities.
Excavator prototype for lunar mining unveiled
Interlune, alongside its partner Vermeer Corporation, revealed the prototype for an excavator capable of processing 100 metric tons of regolith per hour. This system forms the initial step in Interlune’s four-part process for mining and refining lunar resources. The excavator minimizes energy consumption, dust production, and equipment strain. Testing of integrated components has occurred, with plans for further deployment alongside ongoing missions.
High-capacity lunar excavation has never been tested in real lunar environments, which present unique challenges such as extreme temperatures, low gravity, and abrasive regolith dust. The current prototype is unproven at scale. The durability and long-term functionality of the machinery on the Moon remain key questions.
Legal and legitimacy issues of lunar resources
Interlune’s announcements highlight the intersection of space innovation and legal uncertainty. Under the Outer Space Treaty (OST, 1967):
- The Moon and celestial bodies are designated as the province of all humanity. They are not subject to national appropriation or private ownership.
- Resource extraction remains a legal gray zone. While the OST does not explicitly prohibit mining, interpreting “use and exploration” as including commercial extraction is contentious.
A follow-up agreement, the Moon Treaty (1979), proposed clear regulations for space mining. However, major players like the U.S., Russia, and China declined to ratify it, leaving regulatory gaps. Current practices rely on national laws, such as the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (2015), which permits private entities to claim extracted resources. This fragmented legal framework raises questions about the legitimacy and enforceability of private and state-led activities on the Moon.
Without international consensus, disputes could arise, undermining efforts to establish a fair and shared approach to space resource utilization. Environmental concerns add another layer of complexity. Over-mining and improper handling of regolith could disturb the Moon’s surface, impacting scientific research and other missions. Critics warn against exporting Earth’s resource-driven inequities and over-exploitation to outer space.
Closing perspectives
Interlune’s ambitious projects aim to pioneer an in-space economy centered around helium-3 and lunar resources. Yet, many hurdles must be overcome before this vision becomes a reality.
Before you go: Sowing Seeds in Space – The Bold Experiment of Lunar Farming
From proving the technological capability to addressing unresolved legal ambiguity, these ventures underscore the delicate balance between innovation, ethics, and governance in space exploration. Whether such endeavors can ethically and sustainably proceed without disrupting international frameworks remains a question for policymakers and global stakeholders to resolve.
Photo credit: All media shown is owned by Interlune and was provided as part of several press releases.
Source: Interlune press release 1, 2, and 3. The historic documentation has been linked directly in the article body for further reading.
