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Cited by 41Space exploration and regulationGlobal Energy and Sustainability ResearchGlobal Energy Security and Policy

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 12 of the 12 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Lunar Helium-3 Fuel for Nuclear Fusion: Technology, Economics, and Resources

Simko, Thomas, Gray, Matthew·2014·World Futures Review
DOI 10.1177/1946756714536142
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Abstract

Nuclear fusion of helium-3 ( 3 He) can be used to generate electrical power with little or no radioactive waste and no carbon emissions. Some forty-four tons of this fuel could meet the electricity needs of the United States for a year. Although rare on Earth, an estimated one million tons of 3 He has collected on the surface of the moon. While it would cost approximately US$17 billion to develop a mine producing one ton of 3 He per year, such an operation is commercially viable over the medium term given the estimated value of that ton of fuel: US$3.7 billion. This article outlines the technical and economic issues related to 3 He and its extraction, and it presents a novel approach to estimating the worth of the fuel. The potential of 3 He as a future energy source is set in the context of global energy forecasts and international efforts to investigate lunar 3 He resources—including a recent Chinese mission.

Overview

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1177/1946756714536142

Cites

12 of 12 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Verification

Claims the paper makes

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Claims other papers make about this one

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Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 7

  1. CEDIGAZ, 2010, Natural Gas in the World
  2. Kulcinski G. L., Ashley R. P., Santarius J. F., Piefer G., Subramanian K. M. 2000. “Development of Lunar 3 He resources: Near-Term Applications and Long-Term Prospects.” Paper presented at the 4th International Conference on the Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon, July 10–15, Noordwijk, The Netherlands. http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/pdf/fdm1128.pdf
  3. Kulcinski G. L., Schmitt H. H. 2000. “Nuclear Power without Radioactive Waste—The Promise of Lunar Helium-3.” Paper presented at the 2nd Annual Lunar Development Conference on Return to the Moon II, July 20–21, Las Vegas, NV. http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/pdf/fdm1131.pdf
  4. Lafleur C. 2010. “Spacecraft Stats and Insights.” The Space Review, April 5. http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1598/1
  5. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 1998. “Lunar Prospector Science Data Return: A Summary of Results from the Set of Papers Printed in the September 4, 1998 Edition of Science.” Vol. 281, Press Kit. Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration. lunar.arc.nasa.gov/New Results/LP_Sci_Data.pdf
  6. Sviatoslavsky I. N., 1993, Paper presented at Space 94, the 4th International Conference and Exposition on Engineering, Construction and Operations in Space, and the Conference and Exposition/Demonstration on Robotics for Challenging Environments
  7. White S. W., 1998, Net Energy Payback and CO2 Emissions from Helium-3 Fusion and Wind Electrical Power Plants

Cited by

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Related

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Metadata

Authors
Simko, T., & Gray, M.
Affiliations
  • Australian Energy Advancements Pty Ltd., Deakin, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
  • Australian National University (AU)
ORCID
Gray, Matthew
Venue
World Futures Review
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2014-06
Volume
6
Issue
2
Pages
158-171
ISSN
  • 1946-7567 (ISSN-L)
  • 2169-2793
DOI
10.1177/1946756714536142
OpenAlex
W2059246562
Cited by
41
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 3
FWCI
0.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • World Futures Review (publishedVersion)
  • RMIT Research Repository (RMIT University Library) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
  • ANU Open Research (Australian National University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
University of Toronto
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Space exploration and regulation
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Global Energy and Sustainability Research
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › General Energy › Global Energy Security and Policy
Keywords
helium-3, lunar helium-3, nuclear fusion, fusion energy, lunar mining, commercial viability, lunar resources, energy futures

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