Interlune, an American company, recently announced that it has successfully simulated a lunar environment on Earth by implanting helium and other volatile gases into simulated lunar soil and extracting them. This breakthrough will drive their lunar mining test plan scheduled for 2028. The United States and China are currently the two countries leading the way in utilizing lunar resources for practical engineering or commercial purposes.
On August 26, the private American company Interlune published on its official website that it had successfully injected helium into simulated lunar soil, further enhancing its capability to test lunar equipment on Earth. The company stated that they replicated the natural process where solar winds implant helium and other volatile gases into lunar soil, accomplishing an exposure level equivalent to solar wind helium ion exposure at approximately 32 million times faster. In other words, within about 4 hours on Earth, they could simulate an exposure on the lunar surface for nearly 15,000 years.
Interlune, a company dedicated to space infrastructure and resources, is currently focused on researching lunar mining, particularly emphasizing helium-3 and other lunar volatile resources.
Helium-3 is an extremely rare isotope of helium with strategic importance for defense and advanced computing, but its natural abundance on Earth is very low. Lunar soil (referred to as regolith) may have accumulated significant amounts of helium-3 brought by solar winds.
Recently, Interlune announced several advancements, including technological breakthroughs and new contracts.
On July 20, Interlune announced that they had successfully extracted 99% purity helium-3 from ordinary helium gas on Earth using their low-temperature technology.
Interlune stated that the Cold Capture technology developed with support from the US Air Force not only meets the current demand for helium-3 but is also a core technology for lunar mining. It will ultimately be used on the moon and needs thorough verification to ensure its proper function.
Moreover, Interlune mentioned that widespread application of this innovative technology could potentially triple the current US supply of helium-3, meeting the demand in areas like quantum computing.
Of note, on May 4 of this year, Interlune signed an 18-month, $6.9 million contract with NASA to drive lunar resource development. Interlune will develop equipment to measure gases in lunar soil on-site in 2028 and utilize resource extraction technologies including helium-3 and hydrogen.
Dr. Elizabeth Frank, Chief Scientist of Interlune, stated, “This will be the first time humans measure volatile gases by heating lunar soil on the moon, significantly enhancing the scientific understanding of lunar characteristics. The data we collect will also inform us on the energy requirements for extracting resources like helium-3.”
In addition to the United States, China is another country clearly incorporating lunar resource exploration, mining, and utilization into long-term planning.
Given China’s global expansion strategy and practices such as weaponizing supply chains, the US views China as a significant strategic competitor in lunar and space domains. The US considers returning to the moon, establishing a long-term lunar presence, and developing lunar resource utilization capabilities as crucial for maintaining its leadership in space.
In a hearing last September by the US Senate Commerce Committee titled “Bad Moon on the Rise,” highlighting the US-China space competition, concerns were raised regarding the potential for China to gain a strategic advantage on the moon if the US Artemis program faces delays. Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine openly warned that at the current pace, the US might not surpass China’s anticipated moon landing schedule.
NASA’s current moon landing plan includes the Artemis III mission scheduled for 2027, where astronauts will land near the lunar south pole to test critical systems required for long-term lunar habitation. The Artemis IV mission planned for 2028 aims to return humans to the moon, focusing on the lunar south pole with two astronauts conducting surface activities for about a week, including observations, sample collection, and data gathering.
Post-2028, NASA’s objective extends beyond flag planting missions to gradually establishing a moon base, incorporating cargo transport, lunar rovers, power systems, communications, habitation, and scientific equipment in preparation for long-term stays. NASA clearly intertwines lunar and Mars manned missions in its overarching plans.
Publicly available data shows that China’s official lunar development roadmap primarily revolves around the Chang’e lunar exploration program, manned lunar missions, and the international lunar research station. Chang’e 7 is slated to explore the lunar south pole for resources like water ice, while Chang’e 8, expected around 2028, aims to jointly establish a basic lunar research station with Chang’e 7. China plans to achieve manned lunar landings around 2030, followed by gradual advancements in the construction of a lunar research station.
Indra Hornsby, COO of Interlune, highlighted in a recent interview with Australian media, “No one, including China, has any interest in creating conflict on the moon.”
She emphasized, “The moon is very, very vast, and there is no conflict developing between where China wants to go, where we want to go, and the areas of interest for other countries.”
On August 30, Australian media revealed that Interlune is seeking partners in the mining industry in Western Australia. The Australian Space Agency is collaborating with NASA to design a lunar rover for collecting and transporting lunar soil. Interlune stated that Australia has been an important partner of NASA, making partnering with the Australian mining industry a natural move for them.