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Lunar Helium 3 Could Meet Earth's Energy Demands

Posted by timothy on from the bring-back-the-rest-of-the-tang dept.

starannihilator writes "Helium 3, rare on the earth but abundant on the moon, may prove to be a feasible energy source with NASA's Moon-Mars initiative. Despite the American Physical Society's Report that the initiative harms science, the moon may actually benefit humans because it contains 10 times more energy than all the fossil fuels on earth. Long hailed as a potential source of energy, and outlined in detail by the Artemis Project, helium 3 may solve earth's energy crisis without any radioactive byproducts. The only problem: the reactor technology for converting helium 3 to energy is still in its infancy. Read more about the Artemis Project's information about fusion power from the moon here." Reader muditgarg points out that India has just hosted a global conference on Moon exploration and utilization, and adds a link to this related story on KeralaNext.

8 of 372 comments (clear)

  1. It seems.... by hom · · Score: 5, Funny

    If we start "mining" the moon, we will never figure out how all this energy got there in the frist place. The moon belongs in a museum!

    1. Re:It seems.... by Deadstick · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, smarty, if it's full of helium, how do we get it down here to the museum?

      rj

  2. Sure.... by PornMaster · · Score: 3, Funny

    To transport the helium, just put it all in a balloon and drop it toward earth...

    Wait a second...

    --
    500GB of disk, 5TB of transfer, $5.95/mo
    1. Re:Sure.... by Fishstick · · Score: 5, Funny

      I was picturing the reactors on the moon generating the power there and then "beaming" it to the earth (via microwave, or something) where it is collected by huge dish arrays and converted to electricity.

      Only, there will have to be some failsafe to prevent the beamed energy from missing the collection dishes and vaporizing a nearby city.

      Then we can concentrate on building the arcologies.

      --

      There is much cruelty in the universe, John.
      Yeah, we seem to have the tour map.

    2. Re:Sure.... by Zorilla · · Score: 5, Funny

      Our future energy plans are based on going from Llama to Cheetah, taking a shower and coming back to check up on things.

      --

      It would be cool if it didn't suck.
  3. Re:I should have said He3… by Headcase88 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Ok, good. Because seeing how much some people hate H2, it'd be pretty hard to convince them to allow scientists to perfect H3.

    (Sorry)

    --
    "When the atomic bomb goes off there's devastation...but when the atomic bong goes off there's celebraaaaation!"
  4. Liberate the Moon! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think it's about time we bring our democracy values and love of freedom to the moon.

  5. Re:Right. by anagama · · Score: 3, Funny

    • 3) Yes, it's the moon. It's a big, cold, dead rock. We can mine to our heart's content and not destroy an ecosystem or create a health hazard for a small mining town. If we have to exploit something, I'd prefer it be the moon to the earth any day.


    As a vegan wiccan spirtual guide, with a deep knowledge of naturopathic wisdom, a solid foundation in crystal theory and application, and strong belief that humans not part of the natural world (and should therefor leave it alone) - I implore you to leave the moon in peace. She is a sweet silver virgin - it would be the height of hubris to allow her rape by man. We should all return to nature, live in the forest, and let mother earth and her moon sister guide our life choices.

    --
    What changed under Obama? Nothing Good