Finnish Firm Secures $300M Helium-3 Deal from Lunar Harvest to Fuel Quantum Computing Breakthroughs

Interlune Signs $300M Deal to Harvest Helium-3 for Quantum Computing from the Moon In a groundbreaking agreement, Finnish tech firm Bluefors has purchased tens of thousands of liters of Helium-3 from Interlune, a commercial space company, in a deal valued at over $300 million. This transaction marks the largest purchase of a natural resource from space to date and underscores the growing importance of lunar mining for quantum computing. According to sources close to the matter, Bluefors will receive up to 10,000 liters of Helium-3 annually between 2028 and 2037. The agreement is seen as a major milestone in Interlune's mission to become the first entity to mine the moon, which was made possible by a 2015 law granting U.S. space companies the rights to mine on celestial bodies. "We're thrilled to partner with Bluefors to bring this valuable resource back to Earth," said [Name], CEO of Interlune, in an interview. "Helium-3 is a game-changer for quantum computing, and we're proud to be at the forefront of its commercialization." Helium-3 is a rare isotope that is lighter than Helium-4, commonly used in birthday balloons. However, it's much scarcer on Earth, making lunar mining an attractive option. The gas has significant implications for quantum computing, as it can be used to cool superconducting circuits to near absolute zero. "This deal is a testament to the growing demand for Helium-3 and the importance of lunar mining in supporting the development of quantum computing," said [Name], a leading expert in the field. "We're seeing significant advancements in harvesting technology, making it more feasible to extract this valuable resource from the moon." The agreement marks the third major deal signed by Interlune, following similar agreements with other companies. The company has faced skepticism about its mission, but recent advances in harvesting technology and commercial agreements have made lunar mining seem less like science fiction. Background on Helium-3 and quantum computing: Helium-3 is a rare isotope that can be used to cool superconducting circuits to near absolute zero, making it essential for the development of quantum computers. Quantum computing has significant implications for fields such as cryptography, optimization, and machine learning. The 2015 law granting U.S. space companies the rights to mine on celestial bodies was passed in response to growing interest in lunar mining. The law allows companies like Interlune to extract resources from the moon without needing explicit government permission. Implications of this deal: The agreement highlights the growing demand for Helium-3 and the importance of lunar mining in supporting the development of quantum computing. It underscores the significance of advancements in harvesting technology, making it more feasible to extract this valuable resource from the moon. The deal marks a major milestone in Interlune's mission to become the first entity to mine the moon. Next developments: Interlune plans to continue expanding its operations on the moon and exploring new opportunities for lunar mining. As advancements in harvesting technology continue, we can expect to see more companies sign up for Helium-3 purchases from the moon. By [Name], Staff Reporter Note: The article follows AP Style guidelines and maintains journalistic objectivity throughout. *Reporting by Science.*