Fusion Power from Lunar Resources

1 July 1992

journal article
research article
Published by Taylor & Francis in Fusion Technology

Vol. 21 (4) , 2221-2229
https://doi.org/10.13182/fst92-a29717

Abstract

The moon contains an enormous energy source in 3He deposited by the solar wind. Fusion of only 100 kg of 3He with deuterium in thermonuclear fusion power plants can produce > 1000 MW(electric) of electrical energy, and the lunar resource base is estimated at 1 × 109 kg of 3He. This fuel can supply > 1000 yr of terrestrial electrical energy demand. The methods for extracting this fuel and the other solar wind volatiles are described. Alternate uses of D-3He fusion in direct thrust rockets will enable more ambitious deep-space missions to be conducted. The capability of extracting hydrogen, water, nitrogen, and other carbon-containing molecules will open up the moon to a much greater level of human settlement than previously thought.

Keywords

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:

Possibilities for breakeven and ignition of D-³He fusion fuel in a near term tokamak
Nuclear Fusion, 1989
Very high efficiency fusion reactor concept
Nuclear Fusion, 1987
Lunar Source of³He for Commercial Fusion Power
Fusion Technology, 1986