Private space companies are exploring plans to mine the Moon for the rare gas Helium-3, though scientists warn of environmental concerns and unclear legal rules governing lunar resources.
Several private space companies are raising funds to mine the Moon for rare resources, including Helium-3, a gas considered valuable for advanced technologies. Firms such as Interlune believe extracting the element from lunar soil could become profitable as demand rises and access to space improves through companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX.
Rob Meyerson, founder of Interlune, says lunar mining could soon become a reality as commercial space exploration expands. “My view is that it’s not a question of if, it’s a matter of when,” he said, adding that Helium-3 is “a product that is priced high enough to warrant going to space and bringing it back to Earth.”
However, scientists warn that exploiting the Moon could raise environmental and legal concerns. Professor Angel Abbud-Madrid noted the Moon has long held cultural significance, saying: “The moon has been an object of adoration for millennia.” Experts also stress that international rules governing commercial mining in space remain unclear.
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