Interlune, a commercial space company planning to mine helium on the Moon, is receiving offers from firms worldwide. One such firm is Bluefors, a Finnish technology company that manufactures ultracold refrigerator systems for quantum computing.
Technology Firms Show Growing Interest In Lunar Helium
Following its announcement to mine Helium-3 on the Moon’s surface, Interlune has been getting orders from various firms. In a recent update, we learn that Bluefors has purchased 10,000 litres of Helium-3 worth over $300 million.
The delivery of Moon Helium to Bluefors will take place annually between 2028 and 2037. According to Interlune, the market value of Helium-3 per kilogram is $20 million.
Rob Meyerson, CEO of Interlune, says that this deal with Bluefors is “the strongest signal we can figure out that says there is a demand for Helium-3.” He adds that Helium-3, which his firm will mine from the Moon, is “the only resource in the universe that’s priced high enough to warrant going out to space today and bringing it back to Earth.”
While Helium-3 is available here on Earth, scientists believe that it is more abundant on the Moon’s surface. Interlune in working to prepare the necessary equipment to mine this rare mineral from the Moon and sell it to buyers.
Why Is Helium-3 Important?
Here on Earth, Helium-3 is in use across various industries like the security, oil and gas, medical, and quantum computing fields. Bluefors, one of the buyers of Interlune’s Moon Helium, is a firm in the quantum computing field.
They use Helium-3 to build ultracold refrigerator systems necessary for quantum computing. With access to over 10,000 litres of Helium-3, with delivery spanning between 2028 and 2037, Bluefors will be able to develop more quantum computing cooling systems. Moon helium might also help in the development of future fusion reactors. Over the course of the coming years, Interlune will clarify how it intends to mine Helium from the Moon and transport it back to Earth for sale.