On December 12, 2024, Japanese lunar exploration company ispace announced a partnership with Magna Petra to mine helium-3 isotopes from the Moon. This initiative aims to extract commercial quantities of this rare gas, believed to be present in the lunar regolith, and transport it back to Earth.
Helium-3 is a stable isotope used primarily in nuclear fusion, offering a potential energy source without the radioactive waste associated with traditional nuclear processes. The Moon is estimated to contain between one and three million tons of helium-3, potentially enough to power Earth for the next 10,000 years.
ispace and Magna Petra plan to employ non-destructive and sustainable techniques for extraction. The helium-3 on the Moon is abundant due to solar winds depositing the isotope on the lunar surface.
Takeshi Hakamada, founder of ispace, emphasized the importance of utilizing diverse lunar resources, stating, "The cislunar economy will be dependent on many important resources other than water." The companies are preparing for reconnaissance missions, with an initial technological demonstration planned as early as January 2025.
However, the prospect of lunar mining raises concerns about potential conflicts over resources, particularly as the US and China also pursue lunar exploration. The lunar south pole is identified as a resource-rich area, making it a focal point for future missions.
This development marks a significant step in the emerging lunar economy, with implications for energy production and international competition in space exploration.