Interlune Pioneers Helium-3 Production Through Innovative Cryogenic Techniques

In a groundbreaking development for the space resources industry, Interlune, a company dedicated to building space infrastructure, has successfully demonstrated its Cold Capture technology. This innovative process allows for the production of 99% pure helium-3 from high-grade helium. As a critical resource, helium-3 is highly sought after for various applications including quantum computing and national defense, yet finding it in sufficient quantities on Earth presents a formidable challenge.

A Dual-Purpose Technology

The Cold Capture technology was developed with support from the U.S. Air Force and is set to initially address the immediate demand for helium-3. This isotope plays an essential role in cooling superconducting quantum computing systems, which require temperatures approaching absolute zero. Beyond its terrestrial applications, the Cold Capture method has been validated for future use in harvesting industrial quantities of helium-3 from lunar regolith, further establishing Interlune's commitment to lunar resource extraction.

Mechanical Engineer Sam Heyd and Chief Technology Officer Gary Lai have been instrumental in operating Cold Capture within Interlune's Cryogenic Lab located in Seattle. According to Rob Meyerson, Co-founder and CEO of Interlune, "Every liter of helium produced globally contains trace amounts of helium-3. Our Cold Capture technology builds upon existing helium liquefaction infrastructures, effectively retrieving and transforming helium-3 into a valuable product."

The Mechanism Behind Cold Capture

Cold Capture operates by employing cryogenic distillation, a process that separates helium-3 from regular helium at very low temperatures. As demonstrated in early tests in 2025, this method yields a helium-3 product stream that is commercially viable. To give some context, the U.S. helium production reached approximately 81 billion liters in 2025 across various plants. If Cold Capture technology is widespread, it could yield up to 2.5 kilograms of helium-3 annually, effectively tripling current domestic production rates.

Overcoming Separation Challenges

The challenge of extracting helium-3 from regular helium is compounded by the nearly identical chemical nature of the two isotopes. As Gary Lai puts it, "Capturing helium-3 sounds deceptively simple, yet it is extraordinarily complicated due to their similarity. Cold Capture uses slight physical differences at cryogenic temperatures to make this separation feasible and scalable."

Addressing Myths Surrounding Helium-3 Sources

Currently, most of the helium-3 available derives from aging tritium stockpiles, a radioactive hydrogen isotope that decays into helium-3 over time. However, these supply limits mean that the production of helium-3 cannot be rapidly increased, despite some speculation about untapped terrestrial helium resources. The stark reality is that helium-3 constitutes only trace amounts in any earthly helium, necessitating effective separation rather than discovery of new helium sources.

By integrating with existing helium liquefaction plants, Cold Capture maximizes helium-3 recovery, offering a solution to produce helium-3 in quantities that exceed the output of any single gas field.

Rising Demand in Quantum Computing

As the need for helium-3 surges, quantum computing is at the forefront, with superconducting systems relying on dilution refrigerators that use the isotope to achieve ultra-low operating temperatures. The global market demand is accompanied by nearly $500 million in purchase agreements for helium-3, significantly from entities like Maybell Quantum and Bluefors, showcasing the importance and industrial need for this rare material.

To support this endeavor, Interlune has raised $23 million in venture capital and received $18 million in government funding, confirming the viability of Cold Capture in both resolving existing helium-3 shortages and laying the groundwork for future resource acquisition beyond Earth.

Future Prospects

Interlune's ultimate objective transcends present challenges, aiming to pioneer a robust infrastructure for lunar resource extraction that includes not just helium-3 but also hydrogen, oxygen, and rare earth elements. As a privately funded company established in 2021, Interlune is creating the industrial backbone necessary to support a lasting human presence on the Moon and foster a sustainable in-space economy.

In conclusion, Interlune's Cold Capture technology marks a significant advancement in both the technological landscape and the field of space resources. By effectively addressing current helium-3 shortages while preparing for a future where lunar mining could become a reality, Interlune is at the forefront of a new era in space resource utilization.