FollowWhat we need is a cleaner, safer and a more abundant source of energy to meet our energy requirements. We have been relying on non-renewable sources of energy like coal and petroleum which are now at the verge of completely drying up and a substitute has to be found which has to be more reliable and does harm the atmosphere. Do we have a substitute? Scientists and environmentalist have been working to find out a greener, environmentally friendly solution to this problem and developments have been made but yet there is no perfect substance or technology on this planet which can fulfill all the energy requirements.
There is a solution though which lies outside this planet. The substance called Helium-3 which has been depositing on the moon through the solar winds released by the sun’s fusion reaction. Helium-3 is such a powerful substance that just 40 metric tons of it can meet all the power needs of a country like USA for a whole year. The substance has been depositing and covering the moon from billions of years, hence it is present is abundance (approx 1 million tons of it).
Is it really that serious?
Helium-3 is a rare isotope which is a non-radioactive hydrogen capable of becoming the only power source of the whole planet. The Russians have also been talking about extracting Helium-3 from the moon but no action is yet been taken. With the launch of Chang’e-2 lunar orbiter in space, China is definitely working towards understanding moon better and collecting the required research data. According to the research, Helium-3 can be extracted by heating. The gasses are released at 700 degrees C and after they are cooled, the other gasses will condense leaving behind the isotope Helium-3.
The developments:
1. Mining Helium-3 also has a certain dark side
Helium-3 miningHelium-3 mining on moon for our energy requirements
Clearly, what Helium-3 can do to this earth is astonishing. This substance can completely transform the energy face of earth but to every good thing there is a dark side. For those who don’t know, the earth relies heavily on the moon as it dictates the ebb and flow of various processes on earth. The consistent circumnavigation of the moon helps earth to function appropriately. Mining tons of substance from the surface of the moon might throw off the celestial balance and cause disasters. The use of explosive can also damage the surface completely. The monetary benefits are enormous but a lot more conclusive research has to come forward before a step could be taken.
2. Former Apollo Air walker, geologist and Senator Harrison Schmitt’s idea to solve the power crises on earth
Mining Helium -3Mining Helium -3 on moon for our energy requirements?
A former astronaut, a geologist and former senator Harrison Schmitt has put forward the idea to plan and extract Helium-3 from the surface of the moon in the coming years. His idea is to build a lunar base on the moon and develop a project to extract the substance and bring it back to earth. An estimate of $15 billion and a whole lot of research will be required to practically develop such a project. To start with the least $2.5 billion each for a mining base a raw plan framework, $5 billion each for a helium-3 fusion plant and a heavy rocket-lift capable of regular moon missions will be required. Apart from this, the risks involved are also to be considered. This is for sure that in no time, the project will start paying for itself. The energy is worth hundreds of billions of dollar.
3. China’s Chang’e-2 has a mission to explore the undiscovered, a step closer to Helium-3 extraction
China Mining Helium 3China Mining Helium 3 on moon for our energy requirements
China has already launched their second lunar probe and their quest to become a major space power exploring and utilizing the vast available resources in the space is definitely on. Chang’e-2 has been launched with a mission to gather some key information about the technology and further landing data. Economic benefits are driving the country’s interest towards the moon and the extraction of the isotope Helium-3 by building a lunar base is the ultimate goal for not just China but also Russia and other major space powers of the world.
The main hurdles:
The lack of engineering interest among the students is one reason for the lag of extracting Helium-3 and bringing it back to earth. Also NASA and DOE (Department of Energy) can’t seem to work along well and have trust issues. The risks involved have to be calculated and research data has to be transformed into a conclusive project before even thinking about it, there is no margin for error.
What can be done?
After extracting Helium-3 and bottling it up, it has to be brought back and treated to extract energy through a Helium 3 fusion reactor which is just 1 in the world and a very small one in Prof. Kulcinski’s lab, the guy who has been working on this project from the last 20 years. The task is to build a large scale project for mining and extraction which might take years. Also, an international project of building a high power Helium 3 fusion reactor on earth has to be accomplished. It would need a whole lot of efforts, compromises and commitments to achieve what is yet a dream.
Source: ecofriend
