"7 Billion Have Resources to Use for 10,000 Years"... The Moon Emerges as Humanity's Mine [Reading Science]

South Korea's First Lunar Orbiter Danuri to Explore Resources with Gamma-Ray Spectrometer
Rich in Valuable Resources like Helium-3, Attracting Global Attention
"Now, Ahead of the Artemis Project, We Must Advance to the Moon to Claim Our Share"

Photo taken locally during the Apollo lunar exploration in the United States. Source=NASA.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] "The Moon harbors many resources, including Helium-3, which can serve as an energy source for 7 billion people for 10,000 years."

Interest in the Moon has surged following the launch of South Korea's first lunar orbiter, 'Danuri,' on the 5th. However, many still consider economic utilization such as lunar base construction and mineral extraction to be a distant prospect. Yet, with the United States actively promoting the Artemis program through international space development cooperation, aiming for long-term lunar base construction and Mars exploration, the international community already regards this as the 'near future.' Consequently, there is growing international interest in the lunar surface resource map to be created using the gamma-ray spectrometer onboard Danuri.

◇ Will the Moon Become Earth's Mine?

As advanced industries such as computers, the internet, batteries, and space development progress, rare resources have become a nation's greatest asset. It is no coincidence that China's most critical weapon in its hegemonic competition against the world's strongest power, the United States, is said to be rare earth elements, which account for 80% of the world's reserves. In South Korea, the recent shift to a trade deficit with China has been attributed to imports of rare earth elements used in batteries and other materials. The same applies to major energy and fuel resources like oil and coal.

This is why attention is focused on the Moon's resources, the closest celestial body to Earth. The Moon contains ample oxygen, a vital resource for human life. About 45% of the lunar regolith consists of oxygen. Theoretically, if 100% conversion is possible, approximately 630 kg of oxygen can be obtained per cubic meter of lunar regolith, enough for one adult to use for 2.16 years.

Particularly attracting interest is Helium-3, estimated to be about 1.1 million tons (potentially mineable) in the lunar regolith. Helium-3 is a clean nuclear fusion energy source that does not produce radioactive contaminants. It is considered a highly valuable energy resource for humanity's safe future. The Moon's Helium-3 reserves are estimated at 1.1 million tons, which could provide energy for 7 billion Earth inhabitants for approximately 10,000 years. The economic value of one ton of Helium-3 is estimated at about 3 billion USD. NASA believes that mining Helium-3 on the Moon and transporting it to Earth to generate electricity at power plants would be economically viable, with a cost-effectiveness ratio exceeding 82 times, even after accounting for all expenses.

Additionally, rare earth elements contained in the lunar regolith have relatively higher concentrations than on Earth, making it possible to bring certain rare earth elements back to Earth for use. Titanium, known to be concentrated in the lunar maria, and iron ore, as abundant as on Earth, could be used locally on the Moon for constructing structures for bases.

Photo taken during the Apollo lunar exploration in the United States. Source=NASA.

◇ Danuri's Gamma-Ray Spectrometer: The Guide to Lunar Resources

Developed by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), the gamma-ray spectrometer analyzes gamma-ray spectra measured on the lunar surface to create elemental maps. Each element emits gamma rays at specific energies; by investigating regions corresponding to these specific gamma-ray energies, a comprehensive elemental map of the Moon will be produced. Gamma rays are generated from natural radioactive elements such as uranium (U) and thorium (Th). When cosmic rays strike the lunar surface, secondary neutrons are produced through interactions with lunar surface elements. High-energy neutrons cause inelastic scattering reactions with surrounding elements, emitting gamma rays characteristic of specific elements. Low-energy neutrons induce neutron capture reactions with surrounding elements, also emitting gamma rays characteristic of specific elements. All three types of gamma rays can be measured from an altitude of 100 km in lunar orbit and are detected via gamma-ray spectroscopy.

An artist's rendering of Danuri, Korea's first lunar exploration orbiter.

◇ In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Technology on the Moon

To advance lunar exploration, global space powers are focusing on developing ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) technologies. This involves surveying resources on-site, estimating their scale, extracting resources locally, and producing necessary consumables to supply materials needed at the landing site. NASA defines ISRU as encompassing resource exploration and survey, acquisition, processing and consumable production, local manufacturing, construction, and energy production on-site. Specifically, oxygen and water essential for life support are extracted and utilized locally; hydrogen is extracted to power mobility systems and serve as rocket propellant. Fertilizers necessary for agriculture can also be sourced locally. Metallic and non-metallic mineral resources can be mined to produce construction materials, cement, solar cells, and fertilizers on-site.

In other words, ISRU refers to collecting, processing, storing, and using resources discovered or manufactured on extraterrestrial bodies such as the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. It specifically includes facilities and systems for producing water, oxygen, solar cells, construction materials, and rocket fuel. Local sourcing is essential to extend human survival on the lunar surface.

◇ How Will Mining Be Conducted?

Mining lunar surface minerals begins with investigating the composition of the resources. Currently, mining equipment is being developed primarily for sample collection. Before extraction, spectrometers survey resources, and drills collect subsurface materials. To mine large quantities, equipment similar to terrestrial mining vehicles will be necessary. However, since lunar mining will focus on utilizing regolith rather than breaking rocks as on Earth, the mining approach is expected to differ. Particularly, the lunar polar regions, characterized by permanently frozen ground with abundant water, volatile substances, and rare metals at extremely low temperatures, will require different technology development compared to mid-latitude areas. NASA and others are reportedly conducting initial ground experiments to prepare for large-scale lunar resource development.

◇ Is Utilizing Lunar Resources Economically Viable?

Resources such as water, oxygen, and hydrogen utilized locally on the Moon naturally have very high economic value. The cost and efficiency of transporting these from Earth’s atmosphere to the Moon are incomparable. For example, oxygen alone extracted from one cubic meter of lunar regolith, approximately 687 kg, is valued at about 1.26 trillion KRW (approximately 1.1 billion USD) at current economic rates.

At one time, startups focused on mining rare minerals from asteroids emerged but closed due to cost and feasibility issues. However, recent planetary resource development research is on a different scale, aiming to extract and utilize resources needed locally. The Artemis program, an international space development cooperation project led by the U.S., is designed to develop resources on the Moon, build bases, and then advance to Mars. The primary task is the local utilization of gases (volatile substances) for life support and fuel, as well as solid minerals (metallic and non-metallic). Expensive rare minerals can also be used on Earth.

Kim Kyung-ja, a senior researcher at KIGAM, stated, "When attending space resource-related conferences this year, I confirmed that ISRU-related industries are increasing internationally and hiring more personnel. It appears that an economic zone encompassing Earth, the Moon, and Mars will be established, and planetary resource development (such as on the Moon) has a high chance of success if systematic technology development is pursued."

Artemis Moon Exploration Concept Image. Photo by NASA

◇ Why Must We Go to the Moon Now?

Currently, NASA is preparing for humanity's second lunar landing with the Artemis 1 mission (an unmanned lunar orbit round-trip program) scheduled for the 29th. After 2025, the manned Artemis 3 mission will proceed. From the 2030s, lunar base construction will accelerate, and manned Mars exploration will also be conducted. Space powers are all beginning to develop technologies to survive on the Moon and secure resources as a stepping stone to Mars. Senior researcher Kim emphasized, "If we do not take a leading role in this endeavor at this point, we may miss the opportunity to fulfill our role. Industry, academia, and research institutes must unite, and the government should take a leading role to pioneer space resource development."