A team of British researchers from the University of Oxford and Imperial College London has published a feasibility study outlining a method to extract helium 3 from lunar regolith, a resource that could fuel nuclear fusion reactors on Earth. The study, released today, posits that a single tonne of helium 3 could generate the equivalent of 10 million tonnes of coal in fusion energy. The extraction process involves heating lunar soil to 700 degrees Celsius, a technique already proven in laboratory conditions.
The project, funded by the UK Space Agency and private investors, aims to launch a robotic mining mission by 2030. International competitors include China, which has announced its own helium 3 programme, and the United States, whose Artemis Accords permit resource extraction. The British team claims its method requires 30% less energy than current alternatives.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact of lunar mining, though proponents argue that fusion power from helium 3 would produce no radioactive waste. The UK’s Chief Scientific Adviser described the development as a potential breakthrough for energy security. Further testing on the International Space Station is scheduled for 2026.
