Introducing the Cold Capture Technology
On July 21 at 8:15 PM, space startup Interlune unveiled a novel technology called Cold Capture, capable of extracting helium-3 at 99% purity from standard helium. Backed by the U.S. Air Force, this innovation could yield 2.5 kilograms of helium-3 annually if deployed across all domestic processing plants—three times the current output.
Extraction Process and Future Outlook
The Cold Capture system relies on cryogenic distillation, cooling gas to near absolute zero to isolate helium-3. This isotope is essential for cooling superconducting quantum computers. According to Rob Meerson:
“Every liter of helium produced worldwide contains traces of helium-3. Cold Capture connects to existing helium liquefaction plant infrastructure to extract this helium-3 and turn it into a valuable product.”
Last year, the United States produced roughly 81 billion liters of helium. Implementing Cold Capture at all national facilities could dramatically boost extraction efficiency. The U.S. Air Force has already awarded Interlune a contract to scale production, and the company has secured nearly $500 million in supply agreements with Bluefors and Maybell Quantum.
Helium-3 is currently sourced from decaying tritium stockpiles and lunar soil, where solar wind has deposited millions of tons of the isotope over millennia. Gary Li explains:
“Cold Capture exploits subtle physical differences between the two isotopes at cryogenic temperatures to obtain helium-3 in a process designed for scalability.”
Interlune aims to deploy this technology not only on Earth but also on the Moon, opening new frontiers for extracting this valuable resource. The next step is the Moon.
The Cold Capture technology could significantly reshape the helium-3 market, driving greater interest in lunar resources and their commercial exploitation. As helium-3 is considered a promising fuel for future energy systems like nuclear fusion, Interlune’s success may spur further investment in space technologies and exploration. It also underscores the growing role of private companies in space resource utilization, potentially shifting the industry's competitive landscape.