Interlune, a Seattle-based company focused on space resource extraction, announced it has secured a substantial grant to build a research facility in Texas. The Texas Space Commission (TSC) awarded the company up to $4.84 million. This funding will support the creation of a Lunar Regolith Simulant Center of Excellence near the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The center will focus on developing and testing highly accurate simulated lunar regolith. This material is crucial for testing equipment destined for the Moon, including landers, rovers, and scientific instruments. The company’s chief executive officer emphasized the significance of high-fidelity testing environments for advancing lunar exploration.
Interlune‘s chief scientist will lead the Texas-based team responsible for developing, producing, and scaling these advanced simulants. The company plans to make these simulants available to other companies, research institutions, and government agencies. This will foster collaboration and accelerate space exploration advancements.
The grant comes from the TSC‘s Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF). The funding is intended to bolster Texas‘ aerospace industry and create jobs. Interlune plans to offer internships once the center is operational.
Interlune‘s technology focuses on harvesting resources from lunar regolith, specifically helium-3. Their system is designed to be smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient than existing concepts, making it more cost-effective for lunar operations. The company is actively planning multiple lunar missions within this decade.
Helium-3, a rare isotope on Earth, is abundant on the Moon. Its applications span various fields, including national security, medical imaging, and clean energy research. The current highest demand comes from the quantum computing sector.
Interlune has secured significant funding, including $18 million in venture capital and binding contracts for helium-3 delivery starting in 2029. In addition to the TSC grant, the company has received funding from the Department of Energy, NASA, and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The company is committed to sustainable and responsible space resource harvesting. Founded in 2020, Interlune aims to be a leader in commercializing space resources, establishing an in-space economy, and ultimately providing valuable resources to both commercial and government clients.
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