Helium-3 deficiency threatens US national security
The US parliament held hearings on the problem of a deficiency of helium-3. This isotope is the only reliable and safe material for neutron counters, that is, for radiation detectors. To date, there is no real alternative for its use.
For 2010, America needs 78,000 liters of helium-3, while its own industry produces only 8,000 liters. In 2004-2008, this valuable substance was supplied by Russia in the amount of 25,000 liters per year, but recently it was stopped because it was decided to "create strategic reserves for its own consumption."
Helium-3 is a decay product of tritium, which has not been produced since 1988. Now there are still old reserves of tritium in both the United States and Russia, including in nuclear warheads, but it has a half-life of 12 years, so the problem is becoming more and more urgent every year.
On Earth, helium-3 is practically not found in its natural form, whereas on the moon, according to various estimates, reserves range from 500 thousand to 10 million tons.
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For reference. In the game Mass Effect, humanity used helium-3 as the main fuel. In the movie "Moon 2112", helium-3 is being mined commercially on the moon to produce energy on Earth.
via Wired
For 2010, America needs 78,000 liters of helium-3, while its own industry produces only 8,000 liters. In 2004-2008, this valuable substance was supplied by Russia in the amount of 25,000 liters per year, but recently it was stopped because it was decided to "create strategic reserves for its own consumption."
Helium-3 is a decay product of tritium, which has not been produced since 1988. Now there are still old reserves of tritium in both the United States and Russia, including in nuclear warheads, but it has a half-life of 12 years, so the problem is becoming more and more urgent every year.
On Earth, helium-3 is practically not found in its natural form, whereas on the moon, according to various estimates, reserves range from 500 thousand to 10 million tons.
')
For reference. In the game Mass Effect, humanity used helium-3 as the main fuel. In the movie "Moon 2112", helium-3 is being mined commercially on the moon to produce energy on Earth.
via Wired
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/92511/
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