Interlune Secures $6.9M NASA Contract for Helium-3 Extraction Payload Development
Interlune has been awarded a $6.9 million NASA contract to develop a payload aimed at extracting helium-3 from lunar regolith. The project is a significant step toward building a lunar economy, with potential applications in quantum computing and nuclear fusion.
Theia Market Signal Identification - AI Assisted
Interlune has received a Small Business Innovation Research Phase 3 contract from NASA worth $6.9 million to develop the Prospect Moon payload, which will test helium-3 extraction from lunar regolith. The payload includes a robotic arm for sample collection, a heating system for gas extraction, and will be launched on a commercial lunar lander in 2028.
Interlune's existing contracts amount to nearly $500 million for helium-3, indicating a strong market demand. The company is also exploring terrestrial helium-3 sources while developing lunar extraction capabilities. Initial operations are expected in the early 2030s, with further missions potentially focusing on other resources like hydrogen and rare earth materials.
Comments