February 6th, 2025, 1:00-2:30pm
Register at: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/beyondearthinstitute/1540593
This panel discussion brings together leading experts in space technology, resource extraction, and energy policy to delve into the compelling, yet complex, prospect of mining Helium-3 on the Moon. With growing global energy demands and the pursuit of cleaner, safer energy sources, the potential of lunar Helium-3 as a fusion fuel has reignited interest in lunar resource utilization. This session will explore the scientific basis for Helium-3’s potential, the technological hurdles to overcome mining lunar Helium-3, and the economic viability of such an endeavor.
The panel will address several key questions, addressing technical aspects as well as the economic and political factors as well:
What makes Helium-3 a desirable fuel source, and how does it compare to other fusion fuel candidates?
What is the estimated abundance of Helium-3 on the lunar surface, and where are the most promising extraction sites?
What are the current technological challenges in extracting and transporting Helium-3 from the Moon, and what innovations are needed to make it commercially viable?
What would be the cost of establishing a lunar mining operation, and who would be the key investors involved?
How would international collaborations and regulations shape the future of utilizing this lunar resource?
Crucially, the panel will address the timeliness of this discussion. Why now? Several converging factors make this the right moment to seriously consider lunar Helium-3 mining. Advances in rocketry and space transportation are reducing the cost of lunar missions. Significant investment and progress are being made in fusion reactor technology. Increased private sector involvement in space exploration is fostering innovation and accelerating development. Growing global energy demands, coupled with the urgent need to transition to cleaner energy sources, are driving the search for alternative fuels. The panel will argue that the confluence of these factors makes the pursuit of lunar Helium-3 not just a futuristic dream, but a potentially crucial step towards meeting future energy needs.
This session is designed for a broad audience, including scientists, engineers, policymakers, business leaders, and anyone interested in the future of space exploration and energy. It promises to be an engaging and informative discussion that will illuminate the potential and challenges of this ambitious endeavor, and underscore why the time is ripe to take lunar Helium-3 seriously.
Panelists:
Steve Wolfe, President, Beyond Earth Institute (Moderator)
Dr. Chris Salvino, President, Lunar Helium-3 Mining, LLC
Dr. Ahmed Diallo, Program Director, Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)
Gerald Sanders, Lead for In-Situ Resource Utilization System Capability Leadership Team, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA-Johnson Space Center
