Posted on 12/21/2004 5:14:59 AM PST by jaydubya2
And That Could Be Reason Enough To Return The current value of pure gold (Au), at today's price is $15,500 per kilogram.
So consider: Helium-3 (He3) a rare particle on Earth but abundant on the Moons lunar surface (He3 is required for a fusion reactant - safe nuclear energy) has an energy value in today's dollars is $5.7 million per kilogram when compared to the value and energy potential of oil.
On January 14, 2004 US President Bush announced a new vision for NASA that incorporated a human return to the Moon by 2020, follow-on exploration of Mars and other destinations.
Nuclear fusion holds the promise of producing massive amounts of energy without the radioactive byproducts of fission-powered plants.
A space vehicle with a payload bay the size of a space shuttle could bring back enough helium-3 to generate the electricity to satisfy the United States' needs for a full year.
Particles of hydrogen and helium in the solar wind that strikes the moon become embedded in the rocks and soil. This doesn't happen on the earth because our atmosphere and our magnetic field shield our planet from these solar particles.
It has been estimated that helium 3 would have a cash value of $5.7 billion a ton in terms of its current energy equivalent to oil at <$40 per barrel oil.
At $40,000 to $60,000 per kilo for transporting materials from Earth to the Moon, it is not cost effective to go to the Moon even for pure gold (Au), at today's price of <$15,500 per kilogram. He3 equivalent energy value in today's dollars is $5.7 Million per kilogram making this venture for the He3 fusion reactant worth the effort and cost.
(Excerpt) Read more at aero-news.net ...
We need a fusion reactor that works first.
I was thinking the same thing.
In other news, I have found that in 2325, belly button lint will power 99.9995% of the universe's power sources. The only known location is in my BELL-AAAYYYY!!! Come 'AN GIT IT!!
At $40,000 to $60,000 per kilo for transporting materials from Earth to the Moon, it is not cost effective to go to the Moon even for pure gold (Au), at today's price of <$15,500 per kilogram. He3 equivalent energy value in today's dollars is $5.7 Million per kilogram making this venture for the He3 fusion reactant worth the effort and cost.
Gives a whole new meaning to the term, "solar energy."Clearly the cost of purification of the He3 is the primary expense; transportation is only about 1%.
But did you get the mineral rights? If not you got screwed!
Moon's Helium-3 Could Power Earth
Source: space.com
Published: 30 Jun 00 Author: Staff
Posted on 07/02/2000 13:13:11 PDT by RightWhale
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a395fa2572da2.htm
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