Topic of the Week: Helium-3 Making a Comeback? - MyMoon
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Hangout tonight @ 8pm ET! Learn about LADEE, an upcoming mission to the Moon with Brian Day! #mymoonlpi https://t.co/EoKZPS40TW …TOPIC OF THE WEEK: HELIUM-3 MAKING A COMEBACK?
Helium-3 used to be all the rage.
Sam Rockwell being really excited to go mine some helium-3 in "Moon".
Sam Rockwell mined it .Moon Nazis hoarded it. Major magazines and Apollo astronauts expounded breathlessly about it, and how helium-3---collected from the Moon---could solve mankind's energy problems.
But the glory days of 2009 are (or, were) no more. You've been as likely to see talk of mining ice for rocket fuel or going for platinum as you are to see of an international race for fusion power and saving mankind with the Moon.
But, recent developments have been blowing life back into the old balloon...with a Lockheed project suggesting last week that fusion power is '4 years away' (again?).
What do you think? Will helium-3 and fusion power ever actually happen, or will they just continue to be a perennial Moon tease?
And what should the Moon companies of today and tomorrow be mining for: helium-3, ice-based rocket fuel, platinum, cheese? What would your moon company do?
Monday Feb-25-2013
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TOPIC OF THE WEEK: LIFE IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM
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TOPIC OF THE WEEK: MOON EXPLORATION
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TOPIC OF THE WEEK: ASTEROID DETECTION
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Dennis M J M.
Thursday Feb-28-2013
If I could start any moon company it would be a low-cost colony where part would be made up of prisoners and other undesirables who sort trash and toxic waste for conversion into useful stuff but also receive access to full and robust rehabilitative programs and educational resources.
Part of it would also be a luxury hotel/casino and a condo/administrative centre for off-world affairs.
I'll leave the mining to others, but will offer sorting, packaging and transit services for cargo and waste disposal services for all humans who visit terra luna ;)
COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
William K.
Tuesday Feb-26-2013
According to articles that I have read, Helium 3 is only inches from the surface. Therefore, my Moon company would be mining for Helium 3, assuming that we could transport the product and had workers to complete the project.
As for fusion power being only 4 years away. That would be great, if it were true. However, I have my doubts. I think it'd be safer to say that fusion power is more like 20 years away, and if it's done early, then they look like the heroes.