Quantum Computing's Next Frontier Is Mining For Helium-3 On The Moon
Bluefors, a leader in cryogenic cooling systems, will purchase up to 10,000 liters of helium-3 annually from Interlune, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028 and continue through 2037. Helium-3 is a rare, non-radioactive isotope of helium, and is the unsung hero of quantum computing. To function correctly, the fragile quantum bits (qubits) that power quantum machines must be kept at temperatures below 10 millikelvin (-460 degrees Fahrenheit). This is achieved using specialized dilution refrigerators, and helium-3 is an essential component of the cooling process. As quantum computing scales from a few hundred qubits to thousands and even millions, the demand for this vital isotope will skyrocket, far exceeding Earth's extremely limited and fast diminishing supply.
Scientists have long known that the Moon's regolith is a treasure trove of helium-3, with estimates between 1 to 3 million metric tons. The isotope has been continuously deposited onto the lunar surface by the solar wind over billions of years, a process that doesn't occur on Earth due to our protective atmosphere. In the meantime, Interlune has been busy developing the technology to harvest such resource, such as lightweight, energy-efficient robotic systems designed to extract the gas from lunar soil and process it for transport back to Earth.
While the primary focus of this deal (made legal thanks/no thanks to the 2015 SPACE Act, which basically grants U.S. citizens property rights to any space resources they extract) is quantum computing, helium-3 holds promise for other transformative technologies, including its potential use as a clean, aneutronic fuel for nuclear fusion reactors or even be used to power future lunar bases.
