Why do researchers&space enthusiasts see helium 3 as a viable energy source?
In 1972, astronaut Harrison Schmitt scooped moon rocks into a bag for the ride back to Earth on Apollo 17. Along with those rocks, the bag contained a light helium isotope called helium-3. Some researchers think helium-3 could end the world’s reliance on fossil fuels.AbundanceHelium is made in the sun. When cosmic rays knock out a neutron, helium-3 is formed. Earth’s magnetic field draws helium-3 to the moon, which means a large amount has formed on the moon’s surface. Helium-3 exists in small quantities on Earth as the result of nuclear weapons maintenance.Cheap FusionCombined with another isotope called deuterium, helium-3 would make fusion reactors less expensive than tritium-powered ones, since it eliminates the need for magnets.Fossil Fuel AlternativeMining helium-3 and bringing it back to Earth would be expensive, but it converts to electricity easily and would produce mass quantities of power, making it a great return on the investment. Harrison Schmitt estimates that five 1,000