Interlune, a Seattle-based startup, has entered a groundbreaking partnership with Bluefors, a prominent manufacturer of dilution refrigerators. This deal marks the largest purchase of lunar resources to date, establishing a significant step towards the commercial extraction of helium-3 from the Moon. Interlune plans to extract this rare isotope, which accumulates on the lunar surface due to solar winds, to meet the rising demand from various industries, particularly quantum computing.
On Tuesday, Interlune announced that Bluefors has agreed to purchase up to 10,000 liters of helium-3 annually from 2028 through 2037. According to estimates from The Edelgas Group, helium-3 currently trades at approximately $2,500 per liter. The partnership is poised to facilitate advancements in quantum computing, as Bluefors’ cooling systems are integral for maintaining the ultra-low temperatures essential for qubit stability.
Rob Meyerson, co-founder and CEO of Interlune, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in a company release. “A majority of the quantum technology industry relies on Bluefors systems to operate and accelerate development,” he stated. “We are excited to help Bluefors continue advancing companies toward unlocking scientific and medical discoveries made possible only by near-absolute-zero temperatures.”
Interlune’s Aspirations for Lunar Mining
Founded in 2020 by Rob Meyerson, former president of Blue Origin, along with former chief architect Gary Lai and Harrison Schmitt, the last living member of Apollo 17, Interlune has ambitious plans for lunar resource extraction. Schmitt has long advocated for utilizing the Moon’s helium-3 reserves, and since its inception, Interlune has focused on this objective. The company has successfully raised over $18 million in venture funding to develop robotic harvesters and plans to launch a demonstration mission in 2027, with a pilot plant projected for 2029.
Despite these promising developments, significant challenges remain. The technological, logistical, and financial hurdles associated with lunar mining are substantial, and the timeline for achieving these goals by 2028 is ambitious. While the concept of mining helium-3 has generated considerable interest, progress in this field has been limited, with few companies making tangible advancements.
Experts express caution regarding the actual viability of helium-3 mining. While the highest concentrations found in samples from the Apollo and Luna missions exceed those on Earth, the overall abundance of helium-3 on the Moon is still uncertain. Critics argue that the potential value of lunar helium-3 may be inflated, given the lack of definitive data on its availability.
Implications for Quantum Computing and Space Resource Extraction
As the quantum computing industry continues to evolve, the demand for helium-3 is expected to grow. Major technology firms such as Google, IBM, and Microsoft are making strides in the commercialization of quantum technologies, further increasing the need for reliable helium-3 supply. Interlune’s agreement with Bluefors not only signals a burgeoning interest in lunar resources but also highlights the intersection of space exploration and technological innovation.
While the Moon’s helium-3 remains more promise than product at this stage, the collaboration between Interlune and Bluefors could pave the way for significant advancements in both space resource extraction and quantum computing. As the industry progresses, the implications of this deal may extend far beyond the realm of science, potentially influencing global technological landscapes in the years to come.
