Helium-3 propulsion

Helium-3 propulsion is a proposed method of spacecraft propulsion that uses the fusion of helium-3 atoms as a power source. Helium-3, an isotope of helium with two protons and one neutron, could be fused with deuterium in a reactor. The resulting energy release could be used to expel propellant out the back of the spacecraft.

Advantages

Helium-3 is proposed as a power source for spacecraft mainly because of its abundance on the moon. Currently, scientists estimate that there are 1 million tons of helium-3 present on the moon, mainly due to solar wind colliding with the moon's surface and depositing it, among other elements, into the soil. [ [http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/gallery/pdf/space_com063000.pdf Moon's Helium-3 Could Power Earth] ]

ee also

*Helium-3
*Nuclear propulsion

References