The Lunar Advantage - A case study of Fusion Power on the Moon
The Lunar Advantage
A case study of Fusion Power on the Moon
Establishing Fusion Power on the moon to power an Ai and data centre to sustain and relieve the energy
requirements of the Earth for IoT, Edge & Ai.
Slide #1
Slide #2
Pointing out that we all come from different backgrounds, different experiences, and ways of doing things. We
understood each other and aligned on an approach and proud to be sharing our collective thinking.
Slide #3
Slide #4
Pre empt the technology detail before Q&A
How might we collaborate with international agencies to access the Moon's helium-3 for sustainable fusion
power?
How might we create partnerships with private space companies to leverage their resources for lunar fusion
exploration?
Slide #5
Fusion power on the Moon refers to the concept of utilising the Moon's resources, particularly the isotope
helium-3, to generate energy through nuclear fusion.
Fusion is the process that powers the Sun and stars when Hydrogen nuclei fuse into helium, releasing
tremendous amounts of energy. To produce fusion power on Earth, the goal is to fuse hydrogen isotopes at
extremely high temperatures, over 100 million degrees Celsius, to create a plasma state where the nuclei can
overcome their repulsive forces and fuse.
We know that the Moon's surface is rich in helium-3, a rare isotope on Earth, which can be used as a fuel for
fusion reactors. Helium-3 is deposited on the lunar surface by the solar wind over billions of years.
Fusion reactors on the Moon could harness the energy released when helium-3 nuclei fuse with deuterium (an
isotope of hydrogen), producing immense amounts of clean and virtually inexhaustible power.
Slide #6
The potential benefits of lunar fusion power are numerous:
Abundant and clean energy: Fusion power offers a virtually inexhaustible and environmentally friendly energy
source with minimal greenhouse gas emissions or long-lived radioactive waste.
Energy independence: Establishing fusion power plants on the Moon could reduce Earth's reliance on finite
fossil fuel resources and provide energy security for future generations.
Technological advancement: Pursuing lunar fusion power would drive innovation and technological
breakthroughs in plasma physics, materials science, and advanced engineering.
Lunar exploration and colonisation: Fusion power plants could provide the necessary energy resources to
support long-term lunar exploration and potential colonisation efforts.
Slide #7
Technological complexity: Achieving controlled fusion reactions on a commercial scale remains a formidable
scientific and engineering challenge, requiring significant advancements in areas like plasma confinement and
heat management.
Infrastructure and logistics: Establishing and maintaining fusion power plants on the Moon would require a
massive investment in infrastructure, transportation, and logistics, which would pose significant economic and
logistical hurdles.
Environmental impact: While fusion power is considered environmentally friendly, the construction and operation
of lunar facilities could potentially disrupt the delicate lunar environment and impact future scientific exploration.
Safety and Regulatory Concerns: Ensuring the safe operation of fusion power plants on the Moon and
addressing potential risks, such as radiation exposure or accidental releases, would require robust safety
protocols and regulatory frameworks.
Slide #8
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There are positive and negative ethical impacts across Social, Environmental, cultural and economic pillars.
For society abundant clean energy improving quality of life, However, risks to health and safety and prioritisation
of resources.
Environmental great idea to reduce greenhouse gas emission and pollution, however damage to lunar
environment, and depletion of resource.
Culturally opportunity for collaboration and cooperation. However, humans are humans and conflicts over
ownership, control, and exploitation aren’t looking like they will dissipate in the immediate future.
Finally, economically – reduced dependency on fossil fuel, but withmassive investment and displacement of
jobs.
Slide #10
OWNERSHIP
Currently The Outer Space Treaty prohibits national appropriation of celestial bodies but lacks clarity on
resource ownership.
The Moon Agreement (states that the Moon and its resources are the common heritage of mankind, not subject
to national appropriation.
The Artemis Accord was initiated by Nasa and aims to set common principles, guidelines, and best practices for
safe exploration of the Moon by encourage international partnerships with countries and private companies.
None of these treaties is signed by all five big nations – No treaty is clear on what can and can’t be done and
who will own the energy, and what laws will govern.
Questions further arise if colonisation happens on the Moon, and who has the power to remove energy from a
celestial body – does it belong to one and all.
These treaties are for nations so what about individuals
Slide #11
JURISDICTION
Space, like the open ocean, is considered "res nullius", meaning it belongs to no one.The 1967 Outer Space Treaty provides the foundation for space law. However, the reality of 21st century space
exploration is very different to when the Treaty was first drawn up in the 1960s.
The big question is when we establish a new international agreement specifically for lunar resource utilisation
how can we enforce compliance; how do we ensure there is equitable access to lunar resources.
Balancing commercial interests with the common good is crucial
Let’s set some rules while the space titans are still “Star Trek Geeks”
Slide #12
COMMERCIALISATION
Pursuing fusion power on the Moon could lead to commercialising and privatising lunar resources and activities.
This raises concerns about the potential for monopolisation, exploitation, and prioritisation of profit over ethical
and environmental considerations.
'Energy technologies are notoriously slow to make their way between proof-of-concept and commercialization,
averaging about 30-50 years[9] (Figure 1). In a world fighting the dangers of climate change and with increasing
energy demands from developing economies around the world, we simply don’t have the time to wait. We need
all the clean technology we can get, as soon as is humanly possible. Fusion is one of the critical technologies
that, if successful, would be a game-changer for addressing these issues.’
Slide #13
COLONISATION
Imagine a future where fusion power enables permanent lunar colonies, providing reliable energy for life support,
industrial activities, and resource extraction. This energy will be crucial for facilitating deeper space exploration
while ensuring ethical governance, legal rights, and the health and safety of lunar inhabitants. Preserving the
lunar environment and responsibly utilising resources like helium-3 will support sustainable development and
avoid exploitation.
New governance structures adhering to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 are essential. Fair compensation, safe
working conditions, and mental health support must be prioritised to prevent colonial exploitation. By
considering long-term consequences and preserving the lunar environment, we can safeguard scientific and
cultural heritage for future generations. Fusion power on the Moon – a future built on ethics, sustainability, and
exploration.
Slide #14
The Moon offers incredible potential for scientific and technological advancement. However, establishing a
human presence and developing infrastructure like fusion reactors and data centres comes with environmental
consequences we need to understand.
1. Surface Disturbance: Building on the Moon will inevitably change its landscape. Excavation for large
structures disrupts the natural terrain and could damage scientifically valuable geological formations.
Construction also kicks up lunar dust, a fine, abrasive substance that can harm equipment and pose health
risks to humans.
2. Resource Depletion: Constructing lunar facilities requires materials. Mining lunar regolith (the Moon's surface
layer) could lead to large-scale changes to the lunar surface. Additionally, if we rely on water ice found at the
lunar poles for life support or fuel production, we risk depleting a resource essential for future lunar missions
and habitats.3. Radiation and Heat: Fusion reactors, while promising clean energy, generate heat. On the Moon, without an
atmosphere to dissipate that heat, we could see localised temperature increases. Also, while fusion
produces less radioactive waste than traditional nuclear power, any radiation leaks, even minor ones, could
be hazardous in the lunar environment.
Key Takeaway:
Lunar development is a balancing act. We need to carefully consider the trade-offs between progress and
preserving the unique lunar environment. By understanding these impacts, we can work towards sustainable
solutions that allow us to explore and utilise the Moon's resources responsibly.
Slide #15
• Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
• Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
• Goal 10: Reduce inequity with and among countries.
• Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
• Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable
Development
Promoting Clean Energy (SDG 7): Fusion power could revolutionise energy production.
Lunar research advances clean energy on Earth.
Driving Innovation (SDG 9):
Technological leaps in space, energy, and AI.
Risk of initial resource-intensive development.
Responsible Resource Use (SDG 12):
In-situ resource utilisation minimises Earthly impact.
Careful management needed to prevent lunar degradation.
Climate Action (SDG 13):
Potential to offload Earth's computational burden.
Rocket launch emissions a short-term concern.
Protecting Ecosystems (SDG 15):
Primary focus on Moon may reduce Earthly impact.
Indirect effects (resource extraction, debris) need mitigation.
Global Partnerships (SDG 17):
International collaboration fosters scientific progress.
Ensure equitable benefits for all nations.
Additional Text:
Lunar fusion and data centres align with many SDGs, but sustainable practices are KEY.
International collaboration is essential for ethical and environmentally responsible development.
Presenter Notes:
Emphasise the positives: Clean energy potential, technological innovation, and offloading Earth's
environmental burden.
Acknowledge challenges: Resource use, emissions, and ensuring global equity.
Offer solutions: Highlight ISRU, invest in launch technology improvements, and establish strong
international agreements.
Conclude with a vision: A sustainable lunar presence that benefits both Earth and space exploration.
Slide #16
Applying Te Korekoreka to the fusion reactor project:
Collaboration (Wānaka): Te Korekoreka encourages collaboration between diverse groups, such as scientists,
engineers, indigenous communities, and policymakers. This would ensure that the project incorporates a wide
range of perspectives and knowledge systems, potentially leading to more innovative and sustainable solutions.
Understanding Indigenous Knowledge: Applying Te Korekoreka helps to integrate indigenous knowledge of
the environment, sustainability, and resource management into the project's planning and execution. This can
lead to more respectful and responsible use of lunar resources.
Holistic Worldview: Te Korekoreka's holistic approach considers the interconnectedness of all things,
emphasising the need to balance technological advancement with environmental and social considerations. This
can help mitigate the potential negative impacts of the fusion reactor project on both the lunar and terrestrial
environments.
Honoring the Past, Creating a Better Future: By applying Te Korekoreka, the project can honour the past by
acknowledging traditional knowledge and practices, while also focusing on creating a better future through
innovative technology and sustainable solutions.
In Summary:
Te Korekoreka provides a valuable framework for approaching the complex task of developing a fusion reactor
on the moon. By fostering collaboration, incorporating indigenous knowledge, promoting a holistic worldview,
and respecting the past, this approach can potentially lead to a more sustainable, responsible, and equitable
project that benefits both humanity and the environment.
TE AO TŪROA (knowing / Doing / reviewing
Te Ao Tūroa is a physical, tangible, and material realm that we can see, touch and measure. It refers to our
current situation and the realm where we live, work, and play. When we apply Te Korekoreka to the work of
future making, we usually start in Te Ao Tūroa so that we describe the current situation, map out the work we are
already doing, and kickstart the process of innovation and transformation.
TE KORE (Seeking / reflecting / Understanding
Stepping into Te Kore can be uncomfortable and even be an upsetting experience because it is a realm full of
uncertainty and ambiguity. However, it is also the realm where we can connect with the past in order to
understand the whakapapa of the situation we are working with. Te Korekoreka is a way for us to slow down and
make sense of what has happened. A place to reflect and to reach a deeper understanding. Te Kore is the realm
where new potential emerges and an opportunity to reconnect with our life’s purpose and the future.
TE PŌ (Imagining / designing / Making)
Te Pō is creative and regenerative realm where our visions start to become clear and new ideas start to take
shape and become real. This can be an exciting and empowering experience. Te Korekoreka is a process that
supports experimentation and testing new ways of thinking, working, and relating to others. In our future making
mahi we cannot do everything. We have to choose what we want to focus on and figure out how we are going to
achieve our goals. That is what Te Pō is all about.
TE AO MĀRAMA (Implementing / achieving/ completing)
When we return to Te Ao (the world of light) we discover that the world has changed. Stepping into Te Ao
Mārama we find ourselves in a new world, with a fresh perspective, more energy, and new pathways to action.
Te Korekoreka is way to access the wisdom of the past, so that we are more able to realise the potential of the
future. Te Ao Mārama is about creating positive change through our own agency and actions.REF
Fusion on Moon V1
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576517318507
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/who-owns-moon
Who owns the Moon?
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/who-owns-moon
Denise Hope 'So I filed for point of ownership for the Moon and the eight other planets and their moons and sent it to the
UN along with the note saying my intent was to subdivide and sell the property to anyone who wanted it and if they, the UN,
had a legal problem with that to please let me know. And on that note, they have never contacted me back.’
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/360-documentaries/the-ethics-of-lunar-mining/4871492
The Moon Agreement obliges States Party “to establish an international regime, including appropriate procedures, to
govern the exploitation of the natural resources of the Moon [and other celestial bodies] as such exploitation is about to
become feasible.”
https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2023/01/can-a-country-or-a-business-claim-ownership-of-the-moon-
Space Resources: The accord signatories affirm that extracting and utilising space resources from the celestial bodies listed
above is vital to supporting safe and sustainable space exploration. They also commit to informing the U.N. Secretary
General, the public, and the scientific community of space resource extraction activities.
https://www.space.com/artemis-accords-explained
https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2022/01/how-the-antarctic-treaty-of-1959-influenced-the-outer-space-treaty-of-1967/
https://www.ibanet.org/disputes-over-space-mining-on-the-horizon
https://www.ibanet.org/disputes-over-space-mining-on-the-horizon
marine /salvage law. https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a3358/4264325/
Space Treaties help but they’re not enforceable
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/billionaires-going-space-aim-industrialize-115701534.html
https://theconversation.com/five-ethical-questions-for-how-we-choose-to-use-the-moon-116801
https://www.prindleinstitute.org/2023/03/ethical-dilemmas-in-lunar-mining-and-colonization/
Commercialisation
https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2022/06/03/parallel-processing-the-path-to-commercialization-of-fusion-
energy/#_ftn9
Thermal Pollution
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19780005003/downloads/19780005003.pdf
Radiation
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/publications/books/lunar_sourcebook/pdf/Chapter03.pdf
https://nss.org/settlement/nasa/spaceresvol4/environment.html
Rocket Emissions
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/mars2020_section4.pdf?emrc=c90b78
https://payloadspace.com/the-space-industrys-climate-impact-part-2/
Supply Chain
https://www.ngaarawhetu.org/could-one-small-step-for-supply-chains-mean-one-giant-leap-toward-sustainable-space-
exploration/
In-situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU)
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/In-Situ_Resource_Utilisation
Governance
https://sci.esa.int/documents/34161/35992/1567260390250-ESA_Space_Resources_Strategy.pdf
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) most relevant to the proposal of developing,
constructing, and operating a fusion reactor on the Moon to run a data centre and AI shell include:
https://sdgs.un.org/
Kaupapa Māori considerations
https://www.tekorekoreka.co.nz/origins