One goal of India's upcoming space probe is to locate deposits of helium-3 that are worth trillions of dollars. The answer is helium-3, a gas that's extremely rare on Earth but 100 million times more abundant on the Moon. … However, mining helium-3 could be useful now, because of its non-energy applications.
Is helium-3 worth going to the moon?
How much is the helium-3 on the Moon worth?
At $1400 per gram, one hundred kilograms (220 pounds) of helium-3 would be worth about $140 million.
What can helium-3 be used for on the Moon?
Unlike Earth, which is protected by its magnetic field, the Moon has been bombarded with large quantities of Helium-3 by the solar wind. It is thought that this isotope could provide safer nuclear energy in a fusion reactor, since it is not radioactive and would not produce dangerous waste products.
Does helium-3 exist on the Moon?
Helium-3 is a rare isotope on Earth, but it is abundant on the Moon. Throughout the space community lunar Helium-3 is often cited as a major reason to return to the Moon. … To supply 10% of the global energy demand in 2040, 200 tons of Helium-3 would be required per year.
How much helium-3 would it take to power the US?
Scientists estimate that 25 tons of Helium-3 could power the United States for an entire year. This much Helium-3 could be transported from the Moon to the Earth in a ship the size of the recently retired space shuttle. If the United States were able to mine the Helium-3 on the Moon, it might solve our energy problems.
How expensive is He3?
Unfortunately, the price of gaseous He3 has recently increased from $200 per liter to over $2750.
Why is helium-3 so expensive?
Virtually all helium-3 used in industry today is produced from the radioactive decay of tritium, given its very low natural abundance and its very high cost.
How is helium-3 stored on the moon?
According to a paper published by Jeff Bonde and Anthony Tortorello, helium-3 is an isotope that has been deposited in lunar soil over billions of years by solar wind. … The gasses would be taken back to a lunar base where the oxygen and hydrogen would be put to good use and the helium-3 stored for later export to Earth.
Does helium-3 exist on Earth?
Major obstacles. The problem is that helium-3 is extremely scarce on Earth. This isotope comes mostly from the solar wind, but the Earth is protected under the shield of its atmosphere and its magnetic field.