Latest news with #Interlune
Geek Wire
4 days ago
- Science
- Geek Wire
Seattle-based Avail acquired by Upstack in tech consultancy deal
Interlune will team up with Astrolab to send a camera to the moon for helium-3 survey
Geek Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Geek Wire
Interlune will team up with Astrolab to send a camera to the moon for helium-3 survey
An artist's conception shows Astrolab's FLIP rover on the moon. Interlune plans to put a helium-hunting multispectral camera on the rover. (Astrolab Illustration) Seattle-based Interlune says it's struck a deal with California-based Astrolab to send a multispectral camera to the moon to estimate how much helium-3 is present in lunar soil. Interlune's camera will be one of the payloads aboard Astrolab's FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform rover, or FLIP for short. The FLIP rover is scheduled to take a piggyback ride to the moon's south polar region aboard Astrobotics' Griffin lander as soon as late 2025. The mission will mark Interlune's first off-Earth step in its campaign to identify and extract helium-3 from the moon and return it to Earth. Helium-3 can be used for applications ranging from quantum computing to security screening to fusion energy production. But it's rare on Earth: Interlune has pegged the commercial price of helium-3 at as much as $20 million per kilogram. Interlune is betting that lunar helium-3, which is produced when charged particles from the sun hit moon dirt, will become a cheaper source — and a source of revenue for the startup. The multispectral camera that Interlune has developed in partnership with NASA's Ames Research Center will be used to estimate helium-3 quantities and concentration around Griffin's landing site, without having to bring samples back to Earth. 'This is our first lunar mission and a seminal milestone toward being the first company to harvest natural resources from space,' Interlune's co-founder and CEO, Rob Meyerson, said today in a news release. 'Astrolab's ability to provide reliable mobility on the moon to partners like Interlune is the quintessential example of the collaboration and innovation building the lunar economy.' Astrolab's founder and CEO, Jaret Matthews, said his company was 'thrilled to be carrying Interlune's multispectral camera to the moon.' 'This is exactly the kind of mission we built Astrolab for — delivering breakthrough science to the lunar surface,' Matthews said. Interlune was founded in 2020 and raised $18 million in seed capital last year. In May, the startup announced that the U.S. Department of Energy and Maybell Quantum Industries would be among its first customers. At the time that announcement was made, Interlune said it would start delivering helium-3 in 2029.
Newsweek
31-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Moon Mining Takes Giant Leap Forward With Plans to Harvest Lunar Soil
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Seattle-based startup wants to redefine the concept of a Harvest Moon. Interlune, launched in 2020 by former Blue Origin executives, develops excavation equipment and technology to mine the moon for an extremely valuable and rare helium isotope — and already has customers lining up for the ambitious mission, including the U.S government. Extremely Valuable, Extraordinarily Rare "At $20 million dollars a kilogram, helium-3 is only resource in the universe that is priced high enough to warrant going to space and bringing it back to Earth," Interlune cofounder and CEO Rob Meyerson told Newsweek. "And we felt like with the ability to buy services, we can make the economics work and that's where we are today." If successfully extracted from lunar soil, or regolith, where Interlune estimates up to a million metric tons is concentrated, the newfound abundance of helium-3 could revolutionize a number of industries, including quantum computing, national security and medical imaging. The scarce isotope also "holds promise" as a potential fuel source for nuclear fusion, Meyerson said. A full-scale prototype of Interlune's excavator to harvest helium-3 from the moon, developed in partnership with industrial equipment manufacturer Vermeer Corporation, was unveiled by the companies in May. A full-scale prototype of Interlune's excavator to harvest helium-3 from the moon, developed in partnership with industrial equipment manufacturer Vermeer Corporation, was unveiled by the companies in May. courtesy of Interlune "We work backwards from an aspirational vision and that vision is a fleet of five harvesters that are machines that will excavate, sort, extract and separate the helium-3 from the lunar regolith and produce tens of kilograms of helium-3 per year," he said. "It's challenging and dependent on private financing. It's also dependent on a lot of other companies." Meyerson said Interlune's quest to become the first company to commercialize natural resources from space is contingent upon continued progress at Elon Musk's SpaceX, which recently unveiled the latest design of its super heavy-lift launch vehicle, Starship, ahead of preflight testing. Musk has said he hopes to utilize the spacecraft for uncrewed missions to Mars as soon as next year, though that timeline is thought to be highly optimistic. "But I do think that we need to put challenging milestones into place," Meyerson said. "And I think it's doable." While extremely rare on Earth due to its magnetic field that blocks many charged particles from the sun, helium-3 is abundant on the moon after more than 4 million years of bombardment by solar winds. A rendering of the Interlune Harvester, which will process moon dirt, or regolith, back onto the lunar surface, which will subsequently resemble a tilled field, according to company officials. A rendering of the Interlune Harvester, which will process moon dirt, or regolith, back onto the lunar surface, which will subsequently resemble a tilled field, according to company officials. courtesy of Interlune Interlune plans a prospecting mission by the end of 2027 — aiming to launch a 50-kilogram payload to sample lunar regolith in search of helium-3, Meyerson said. "And that's the mission we're working toward," he said. "Major design progress going on within the team. We're testing hardware now and getting ready to conduct our mission." Alongside partners from Vermeer Corporation, which manufactures industrial and agricultural equipment, Interlune in early May unveiled a full-scale prototype of an excavator designed to process 100 metric tons of moon dirt per hour. Since helium-3 on the lunar surface is measured in parts per billion, continuous extraction capability is essential, Meyerson said. "We're in another cycle now where we're updating the design, so we'll have more by the end of the summer or early fall," Meyerson told Newsweek of the next upcoming iteration of its excavator. Interlune envisions harvesters, a solar power plant, a rover and return launchers as key components of its multi-year mission in search of helium-3. Interlune envisions harvesters, a solar power plant, a rover and return launchers as key components of its multi-year mission in search of helium-3. courtesy of Interlune Jason Andringa, Vermeer's president and CEO, previously worked as an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, contributing to the Curiosity Rover and other early-phase mission concepts. The burgeoning collaboration with Interlune represents an opportunity for the Iowa-based firm to take its excavation expertise to an "all-new, out-of-this-world jobsite," he said. "The engineering team at Vermeer has been energized by the challenge and we are proud of the solutions we're working on in partnership with Interlune," Andringa told Newsweek in a statement. "We look forward to being a part of this impressive project that will ultimately positively impact our world for decades to come." Customers Line Up Each harvester will be about the size of an electric car, Meyerson said. Once on the lunar surface, the machines will begin a four-step proprietary process to excavate, sort, extract and separate helium-3. Meyerson acknowledged the cost of a successful helium-3 lunar mining mission will be significant, with Interlune relying on raising equity and government grants. Some contracts have already been inked, including deals with the U.S. Department of Energy Isotope Program and Maybell Quantum, a quantum infrastructure company. An artist's rendering of a rocket with a capsule containing helium-3 headed to Earth after blasting off from the lunar surface. An artist's rendering of a rocket with a capsule containing helium-3 headed to Earth after blasting off from the lunar surface. courtesy of Interlune "We have customers that have signed contracts for future sales," Meyerson told Newsweek. "Interlune still stands alone as the only company that has contracts for the sale of space resources and that's something we can use to justify our fundraising efforts going forward." Interlune, which has raised $18 million in funding to date, announced both agreements in early May while unveiling its excavator prototype. The Department of Energy has agreed to purchase three liters of helium-3 harvested from the moon no later than April 2029. Christopher Landers, director of the Department of Energy's Office of Isotope R&D and Production, said the agency works to ensure a "healthy domestic isotope ecosystem" so the United States can remain at the forefront of evolving technologies and capabilities. The agency manages federal inventories of more than 300 isotopes, including helium-3, Landers said. Interlune's leadership team, from left: chief executive officer Rob Meyerson, chief operating officer Indra Hornsby, executive chairman Harrison Schmitt, chief technology officer Gary Lai and head of product James Antifaev. Interlune's leadership team, from left: chief executive officer Rob Meyerson, chief operating officer Indra Hornsby, executive chairman Harrison Schmitt, chief technology officer Gary Lai and head of product James Antifaev. courtesy of Interlune "Helium-3 is obviously of high importance," he said. "Helium-3 is needed in cryogenics, which is a huge driver for quantum, it's needed for fusion and there's medical applications as well. But helium-3 is really, if you break it down and look at cryogenics and fusion, is on a trajectory that's moving at an exponential rate." The contract with Interlune signals the agency's attempt to facilitate a "healthy industrial availability" of helium-3, Landers said. "This was an opportunity where if Interlune is successful, they could have a major impact in making helium-3 more readily available commercially," he added. "And then similarly, through our token contract, it can establish a relationship where we could also help ensure a stable supply for that federal reserve." Maybell Quantum, which agreed to buy thousands of liters of helium-3 for delivery between 2029 and 2035, will use the extracted isotope to chill dilution refrigerators to near-absolute zero temperatures. Solar wind has bombarded the moon with helium-3 for billions of years, but Earth's magnetosphere blocks the continual stream of charged particles. The lunar surface contains more than 1 million metric tons of the rare... Solar wind has bombarded the moon with helium-3 for billions of years, but Earth's magnetosphere blocks the continual stream of charged particles. The lunar surface contains more than 1 million metric tons of the rare isotope, Interlune estimates. More courtesy of Interlune Gary Lai, Interlune's cofounder and chief technology officer, said helium-3 represents a "rare commodity" that's extremely limited on Earth yet plentiful on the moon. The company's excavator prototype is now being fine-tuned for zero-gravity operation. "It works quite well on Earth," the former chief architect at Blue Origin told Newsweek. "Now we're designing it to operate in space, and the intention is to go on our first large harvesting space mission, which we call Harvest Moon." 'Humans Find a Way' The upcoming prospecting mission will seek to prove reliable and accessible depositories of helium-3, which are most heavily concentrated in dark regions near the moon's equator. The extracted nonflammable gas must then be cooled until it liquifies before being sent in a rocket bound for Earth, Lai said. "We're actively today in our lab — like, just 100 feet behind me — doing the first sort of groundbreaking experiments to liquify and distill helium-3 out of a mixture of regular helium," Lai said. "That's a critical technology. We have to do that not only here, but we have to build the system to do that on the moon." Interlune hopes to put a full-scale excavator on the moon by 2029, potentially providing a scalable cache of helium-3 that could produce enough clean fusion energy to power the Earth for 10,000 years, as well as immediate impact in quantum computing, national security and medical imaging, Lai told Newsweek. "When there's an abundance of any material on Earth, humans find a way to use it," he said. "It has so many unique physical properties. It has many uses and I'm pretty confident that when it is more available, people will find even more uses for it because it's such a unique isotope."
Sustainability Times
19-05-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Mining the Moon Begins': US Firm's Robot to Extract Rare Helium-3 and Launch Payloads Back to Earth for Futuristic Energy Use
IN A NUTSHELL 🌕 Interlune , a Seattle-based startup, plans to extract helium-3 from the moon, aiming to revolutionize clean energy and quantum computing. , a Seattle-based startup, plans to extract from the moon, aiming to revolutionize clean energy and quantum computing. 🚀 The company has developed a prototype excavator capable of digging up to ten feet into lunar soil, refining helium-3 directly on the moon for efficiency. 🔋 Helium-3 offers potential for nuclear fusion with minimal radioactive waste, and it is essential for the advancement of quantum computers . . 🌍 Interlune's ambitious project could position the U.S. as a leader in space resource utilization, impacting global energy and technology landscapes. With the race to harness clean energy intensifying, the prospect of utilizing helium-3 from the moon presents a tantalizing opportunity. This rare isotope could be the key to revolutionizing both energy production and quantum computing. A pioneering company, Interlune, is taking bold steps to extract helium-3 from lunar soil and transport it back to Earth. Their groundbreaking work could lead to significant advancements in technology and energy, setting the stage for a new era of innovation. Let's delve deeper into how Interlune's ambitious plans could transform our future. The Working Mechanism of Interlune's Lunar Excavator Helium-3 (He-3), a non-radioactive isotope of helium, is exceptionally scarce on Earth but relatively plentiful on the moon. Over billions of years, solar winds have bombarded the lunar surface, embedding helium-3 into the moon's soil. Interlune has engineered a prototype excavator designed to extract this precious gas. This advanced machine can dig up to ten feet into the moon's surface, accessing regions where helium-3 concentration is higher. The excavator processes up to 110 tons of lunar soil per hour and employs a specialized gaseous chemical method to separate helium-3 from other elements within the lunar environment. Importantly, Interlune plans to refine the gas directly on the moon, shipping only the helium-3 back to Earth. This approach not only enhances efficiency but also reduces costs significantly. The collaboration with Vermeer, renowned for industrial excavation equipment, underscores the project's innovative nature. The prototype is undergoing rigorous testing on Earth to simulate lunar conditions, ensuring its operational success when deployed. 'Ultrafast Charging Is Destroying EVs': Insatiable Speed Craze Is Ravaging Batteries and Slashing Vehicle Lifespans Globally Helium-3 Promises a Hi-Tech Future Helium-3 is poised to be a game-changer in the field of nuclear fusion, offering a pathway to clean energy with minimal radioactive waste. Unlike conventional nuclear reactions, fusion using helium-3 could provide a safer, more sustainable energy source. Furthermore, helium-3's unique properties make it invaluable for the development of quantum computers, which require ultra-low-temperature environments. Interlune has outlined a three-phase plan to harness helium-3's potential. The first phase, Crescent Moon, will use a hyperspectral camera to identify helium-3-rich areas on the moon. Next, Prospect Moon will involve deploying a lander to conduct on-site measurements and test early extraction technologies. Finally, the Harvest Moon phase aims to complete the extraction process and deliver helium-3 to Earth, fulfilling contractual agreements. Each phase presents its own set of challenges, but the potential rewards could be transformative for energy and technology sectors worldwide. This Nordic Power Move Changes Everything: Sweden's 740 MW Electrolyzers Set to Transform Global Steel Into a Zero-Carbon Industry Economic and Strategic Implications of Lunar Helium-3 The economic implications of successfully mining helium-3 are profound. With an estimated cost of US$20 million per 2.2 pounds, helium-3 is set to become one of the most valuable substances on Earth. Its application in both energy and computing could drive economic growth, foster technological advancements, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Strategically, the ability to harvest helium-3 could position the United States as a leader in space resource utilization. This capability might also spur international collaborations and competitions, with nations vying for a stake in lunar mining. As Interlune progresses with its missions, the framework for international space law and resource management will need to adapt, ensuring fair and sustainable practices. 'Soundwaves Turn Trash to Power': Revolutionary Tech Revives Dead Fuel Cells Into Clean Energy Gold Using Sonic Force Challenges and the Road Ahead for Interlune Despite its promising potential, the journey to extract helium-3 is fraught with challenges. Technical hurdles in lunar excavation, refinement processes, and safe transportation to Earth are formidable. Interlune must also navigate the regulatory landscape surrounding space exploration and resource extraction. Furthermore, the company needs to secure significant investment to fund its ambitious projects. The collaboration with industry leaders and the backing of governmental bodies like the Department of Energy highlight the project's credibility and potential. As Interlune advances its missions, the success of its endeavors will hinge on overcoming these obstacles, paving the way for a future where lunar resources play a pivotal role in our technological and energy landscape. Interlune's pursuit of helium-3 from the moon is an audacious yet visionary endeavor that could redefine our approach to energy and technology. By venturing beyond Earth to harness the moon's resources, Interlune is at the forefront of a new frontier in space exploration. As we stand on the cusp of this potential revolution, one question remains: How will the global community adapt to and benefit from this emerging era of space resource utilization? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (23)
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa company crowned 2024 manufacturer of Coolest Thing Made in Iowa takes aim at the moon
After winning recognition as the manufacturer of the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa, Vermeer Corp. is setting its sights on a more ambitious goal. The Pella-based heavy machinery maker has teamed with Seattle-based Interlune to develop a machine designed to ingest 100 metric tons dirt per hour with the mission of harvesting helium-3, a rare isotope vital to applications like quantum computing and nuclear fusion. As if that's not impressive enough, consider where that mining would take place: on the moon. Is the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa 2024 title holder for its ZR5-1200 self-propelled hay baler aiming to win recognition for Coolest Thing Made in the Solar System? More: Coolest Thing Made in Iowa is down to the final eight. Which ones made the cut? Rob Meyerson, Interlune CEO, said it was that level of innovation, engineering and manufacturing prowess the company was looking for when it partnered with Vermeer to build a full-size prototype of its proposed machine. 'When you're operating equipment on the moon, reliability and performance standards are at a new level,' Meyerson, co-founder of the company that aims to harvest natural resources from space, said in a news release. 'Vermeer has a legacy of innovation and excellence that started more than 75 years ago, which makes them the ideal partner for Interlune.' The excavator prototype is the first product resulting from the two companies' joint development agreement; they will continue to explore other novel concepts for equipment and technology for use in space and on Earth. The company says it already has a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to provide moon-mined helium-3 by 2029, and plans several trips to the Earth's satellite within the decade. It's also planning to open a center in a Texas A&M University facility at Johnson Space Center in Houston in September 2026 where it can test moon-mining techniques. The release said Vermeer CEO Jason Andringa will join the Interlune advisory board, bringing decades of experience in engineering and leadership in a global organization. 'Vermeer innovation has always been about finding better ways to do important work and this project is no different," Adringa said in the release. "Combining my personal passion for aeronautics and astronautics with Vermeer equipment that bears my grandfather's name to carefully and responsibly harvest resources to make our world a better place is something I'm incredibly proud of.' Helium-3 was deposited into lunar dirt by solar wind and was found in samples brought back during NASA's Apollo missions. At a value Myerson said is about $20 million per kilogram, it is used to achieve the extreme cold needed for superconducting quantum computer applications. says Interlune's helium-3 also could be used to fuel long-dreamed-of nuclear fusion reactors and for medical imaging purposes and radiation detecting technology. 'The high-rate excavation needed to harvest helium-3 from the Moon in large quantities has never been attempted before, let alone with high efficiency,' said Gary Lai, Myerson's partner in Interlune and the company's chief technology officer. 'Vermeer's response to such an ambitious assignment was to move fast. We've been very pleased with the results of the test program to date and look forward to the next phase of development.' Kevin Baskins covers jobs and the economy for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at kbaskins@ This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa company Vermeer produces excavator designed for moon's surface
