This startup is racing to be the first to mine helium on the moon | AI News Digest
Interlune, a Seattle startup, is pioneering lunar mining with plans to extract helium-3, a valuable isotope for energy and technology. The company is developing autonomous robots to harvest lunar regolith, aiming to produce significant quantities of helium-3 for various applications, including quantum computing and potential fusion energy. Despite the challenges of mining on the moon, including equipment durability and economic viability, Interlune has garnered $18 million in funding and secured contracts for its helium-3. With a team led by experienced space industry veterans, the startup is set to send its first mining equipment to the moon by 2029. The success of this venture could revolutionize resource extraction and energy production on Earth.
