1. Helium-3: The Future Energy Source? Major Wayne Wisneski

2. Overview  Helium-3 Background  What Is it…Where Is it Found?  How Do We get it?  Current Energy Demands  U.S.  Global  Fossil Fuels & Nuclear Energy  Other Energy Alternatives  He3 Global Implications  He3 Economic Implications  Way Ahead  Conclusion

3. What is Helium-3…Where Do We Find It?  He3 is naturally produced through fusion in the sun  Settles on the moon’s surface  Earths atmosphere repels He3 from settling on its surface   He3 combined with deuterium produces energy   There is 10 times more energy in He3 than in all of the fossil fuels on Earth (oil, coal, natural gas)

4. Helium-3…How Do We Get It?  Artist's rendition of He3 mining machine  Using direct sun energy, He3 particles will then be heated to about 1400 degrees  1400 degrees is the required temperature to convert He3 to usable energy  Transport energy to Earth  Microwave shot or via spacecraft

5.  He3 is not a proven concept but has potential  Estimated 30 – 50 years before Earth could use He3  Increased funding would decrease timeline  Much research and work remains  What’s appealing about He3?  Abundance of energy  Clean energy  What’s unappealing?  Unproven technology  Costly R&D / production

6. United States Energy Use  U.S. spends about $440 billion annually for energy  Consumes about 6.2B barrels of oil per year  Consumes about 965M tons of coal per year  Energy needs expected to increase over the next 25 years

7. Global Energy Use  World oil consumption is expected to grow by 1.3 million bbl/d in both 2008 and 2009  Projected 50% increase in energy requirements by 2030  China/India represent 45% of the increase  World coal usage approx 5.3 B tons  Expected to increase by 2.2B every year through 2025

8. Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Energy: Rising Concerns Oil Some speculation of “peak oil” in 40-50 years Some speculation of “peak oil” in 40-50 years Environmental issues Environmental issues Geopolitical factors Geopolitical factors Rising costs Rising costs Natural gas North American natural gas at North American natural gas at or near peak Alaska / other continents gas Alaska / other continents gas resources costly to transport Coal Est. 275 years of resources Est. 275 years of resources Environmental issues Environmental issues Nuclear Radioactive waste Radioactive waste Replace aging reactors Replace aging reactors Public health hazard Public health hazard

9. Hydrogen Wind Bio-diesel Ethanol Solar Current /Emerging Energy Alternatives Fusion Hydro

10. Global Implications

11. U.S. Return to moon 2020 Return to moon 2020 Establish Moon Base Establish Moon Base Moon Mining? Moon Mining?Russia Manned moon Manned moon mission--2022 mission--2022 Mining by 2030 Mining by 2030China Man on moon by 2024 Man on moon by 2024 Moon Mining? Moon Mining?India Various Space Initiatives Various Space Initiatives European Union France France Germany Germany U.N. & Rest of the World GlobalImplications

12. He3 Economic Implications  Estimates of He3 economic impacts are all we have  There is 10 times more energy in lunar He3 than in all of the fossil fuels on Earth (oil, coal, natural gas)  If successfully mined & transported for use on Earth, will end petroleum nations “monopoly” on oil derived energy  First nation to establish moon base…possession is 9/10s of the law…  Estimated 1 million tons of He3 on the moon  Enough to power the world for over 1,000 years  The World Bank: “Investments of $1 trillion will be needed in this decade and upwards of $4 trillion during the next 30 years to meet developing countries' electricity needs alone”  It’s estimated 25-40 tons of He3 can power the U.S. for 1-year  Estimate that He3 would have a cash value of $5.7 billion a ton in terms of $40 per barrel oil (2004 estimate)  He3 produced energy would be nearly pollution-free power  Drastically reduced nuclear waste (nuclear power plants)  Reduced green house gases compared to fossil fuels (especially coal power plants)

13.  If He3 predictions are correct -- next steps (for the next 12-20 years)  Return to the moon  Build new spacecraft – shuttle phases out in 2010  Orion spacecraft being built now – operational in 2014  Research / develop / build He3 (fusion) reactor  Build moon base  Establish lunar mining industry and infrastructure  Develop supply chain to transport He3 from moon to Earth  Establish international consensus for mining the moon He3 Way Ahead

14. Questions?

15. Backup Slides

16. Global Implications: Existing Space Treaties  Outer Space Treaty -- 1967  Moon Agreement -- 1984  Additional treaties, agreements and international law required

17. Things to Consider  Consider: Planet Earth in 2030 (22 years from now, it’s not that far off!)  Increased world population  Increased global industrialization--China, India for example  Increased energy demand  Peak oil / natural gas  Supply / demand results in higher energy costs ($200, $300, $400 oil?)  Consider: Costs to transport He3 from moon to Earth—is it cost effective?