Bluefors to Source Helium-3 from the Moon with Interlune to Power Next Phase of Quantum Industry Growth
Bluefors has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with space resource company Interlune. Interlune’s first-of-its-kind helium-3 harvesting missions to the Moon will help supply one of the most critical elements for powering our cooling systems. This collaboration marks a transformative moment for the quantum industry—uniting advanced cryogenics with lunar harvesting innovation to accelerate quantum computing and contribute to building a secure and resilient industrial supply chain for the future.
Bluefors has agreed to purchase up to ten thousand liters of helium-3 annually, for delivery from 2028 to 2037. Unlike Earth, which is protected by its magnetic field, the Moon contains large quantities of helium-3 deposited by the solar wind—a fact first revealed through samples returned by NASA’s Apollo missions.
Helium-3 is utilized in our cryogenic measurement systems, which are critical for the development and operation of quantum computers. Quantum computing is expected to drive rapid innovation in medicine development, finance, chemistry, AI acceleration, and cybersecurity in the upcoming years, highlighting the growing need for this essential material.
“Interlune will provide the huge amounts of helium-3 that the quantum industry needs in the coming years to drive innovation, commercialization, and progress forward,” says Bluefors founder and Interim CEO Rob Blaauwgeers. “Sourcing abundant helium-3 from the Moon helps Bluefors build cooling technologies that will unlock the potential of quantum computing even further. The quantum future is built on Bluefors cooling technology, and Interlune is now a vital partner in that future.”
This collaboration will strengthen the entire industry by securing a stable and scalable supply of vital resources for quantum technology.
“A majority of the quantum technology industry relies on Bluefors systems to operate and accelerate development. This agreement is another example of the foresight and vision that have made Bluefors the leader in their field. We are excited to help Bluefors continue advancing companies toward unlocking scientific and medical discoveries made possible only by near-absolute-zero temperatures,” says Rob Meyerson, Interlune co-founder and CEO.
Interlune’s lunar harvester is smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient than other industry concepts, making it less expensive to transport to the Moon and operate once there. The technology developed for the Moon also applies on Earth, allowing Interlune to efficiently separate helium-3 from terrestrial gas supplies before getting to the Moon. The company has signed contracts with U.S. government agencies and has several lunar missions planned this decade. Over time, Interlune will harvest additional resources—including industrial metals, rare earth elements, and water—to support a long-term presence on the Moon and a robust in-space economy.