In 13 years, India intends to extract helium-3 on the Moon to use it as an energy resource. The distinguished professor of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Sivathan Pillai informed about this.
According to the scientist, this development of the lunar surface is a priority for ISRO.
“I believe that by 2030 this process (using helium-3 as an energy resource) will be possible,” Pillai said.
The professor also said that many countries are currently studying the possibility of extracting helium-3 on the Moon. He noted that the resources of the Earth satellite will be enough for everyone. Scientists from the Russian Federation think similarly.
Most recently, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Head of the Department of Research of the Moon and Planets of the State Astronomical Institute, Moscow State University. Lomonosov Vladislav Shevchenko said that the reserves of helium-3 on the Moon can provide earthlings with energy for 5 thousand years in advance.
We add that at the moment the helium-3 isotope on our planet is mined in small quantities, amounting to several tens of grams per year.
At the same time, the reserves of this valuable isotope on the moon are approximately 500 thousand tons. In thermonuclear fusion, when 1 ton of helium-3 is reacted with 0.67 tonnes of deuterium, energy is released equivalent to the combustion of about 15 million tons of oil.