Chapter 13 Exercise 1

Helium-3

Challenge

Make Helium-3 mining and transport practical.

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Step 1

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Fusion energy relies on specific types of hydrogen and helium to use as fuel. One particularly effective isotope of helium is Helium-3. Unfortunately, Helium-3 is very rare on earth. It is, however, more abundant on the moon. Collecting it on the moon and then transporting it back to earth is still highly impractical, however.

Brainstorm all the technical challenges a mass collection and transport operation would face.

Step 2

Split the challenges you came up with into broad categories relating to the phase of the operation. One example category is below.

Ex. Transport from Earth’s orbit to Earth’s surface

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Step 3

Choose one category as a group and brainstorm technology solutions that could make the process practical, and as efficient as possible. Spend the full time brainstorming.

Step 4

Settle on one solution as a group by weighing the pros and cons of the different ones you came up with. Make an illustrative diagram showing how your solution would work.

Step 5

Make a 2-3 minute presentation about how your technology will make lunar Helium-3 collection possible in the long-run. Include some of the other technologies you considered or some of the innovations in the other phases of the process that might interact with your technology.