**Interloon’s Ambitious Journey to Mine Helium on the Moon**
In a world driven by innovation and the desire to explore beyond our planet, a Seattle-based startup named Interloon is aiming to become a pioneer in lunar mining. The company’s bold goal? To mine helium-3 from the moon, a valuable isotope that could revolutionize energy production on Earth. With an impressive model of their future moon base displayed in their lobby, this ambitious venture isn’t just toys and dreams; it’s a serious leap into the future.
The diorama in Interloon’s office shows a miniature version of their envisioned lunar operation. Picture this: boxy, autonomous vehicles scuttling across the moon’s surface, diligently scraping lunar dirt and crushing it to extract helium-3 gas. Meanwhile, solar panels on wheeled platforms diligently pump out the power needed to keep everything running smoothly, and small rockets await their turn to launch shipments of helium-3 back to Earth. But Interloon’s mission is no science fiction—helium-3 is a sought-after commodity, trading for about $19 million per kilogram.
Interloon’s CEO, Rob Meerson, formerly of Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin, projects that just five of his mining machines could one day produce a staggering 10 kilograms of helium-3 annually, potentially worth close to $200 million. However, this mission is not without its hitches. While helium-3 is comparatively more abundant on the moon, extracting it in a commercially viable quantity involves some serious challenges. The company needs to develop robust machines capable of chewing through millions of tons of lunar regolith—a chunky layer of debris caused by years of micrometeorite collisions—without human intervention, all while combating the abrasive dust kicked up in the process.
Another critical component is Interloon’s ultra-low temperature distillation equipment. The company estimates that less than 1% of the gas extracted will be helium-3, which poses its own challenges. They plan to cool the gas to a bone-chilling -450°F to liquefy other gases, thus allowing them to siphon off the precious helium-3. It’s a tricky business, and one that requires a lot of precision and perseverance. And as Chris Drier, a professor from the Colorado School of Mines, wisely notes, the economic viability of Interloon’s endeavor remains uncertain. The pricey equipment and the unknown helium-3 concentrations in lunar regolith mean that early operations may struggle financially.
Despite the uncertainty, Interloon is not the only player hoping to exploit the moon’s resources; startups like Star Path and Astroforge are joining the fray, seeking ways to utilize water, minerals, and metals found in space. However, among its competitors, Interloon might have the best shot at turning a profit sooner rather than later, especially because they’re exploring terrestrial applications for their technology in the meantime. One avenue they’re pursuing involves helping companies that extract helium from natural gas to separate out the elusive helium-3.
Additionally, Interloon is set to benefit from a $4.8 million grant from the Texas Space Commission for the development of regolith simulants. These simulated lunar materials will be invaluable not only for testing their mining equipment but also for other companies and agencies eager to prepare for future space missions.
As the world watches with bated breath, Interloon is on its way to becoming a trailblazer in the great extraterrestrial quest for resources. With their eyes set on the moon, they may very well pave the way for the next era of energy production—and who knows, maybe even lay the groundwork for future lunar colonies. One thing’s for sure: when it comes to mining the moon, Interloon is ready to reach for the stars!
