Interlune and Vermeer have expanded their strategic partnership to develop autonomous excavation hardware designed to harvest helium-3 from the lunar surface for commercial use on Earth.
Autonomous Excavation for Lunar Permanence
Heavy machinery and autonomous mobility form the bedrock of any permanent human settlement on the Moon, according to Interlune co-founder and CEO Rob Meyerson. Building on a joint development agreement that produced a full-scale electric excavator prototype in May 2025, the expanded partnership moves both firms from prototyping toward scalable, repeatable systems. Vermeer brings heavy equipment expertise from Iowa to build hardware capable of operating in the extreme lunar environment.
The machinery must dig up to three meters beneath the lunar surface to unearth rocks and regolith rich in targeted isotopes. Interlune CTO Gary Lai noted that the high-rate excavation required to harvest helium-3 at scale has never been attempted with high efficiency. Testing data from ongoing trials has satisfied project engineers, prompting a rapid transition into the next phase of development supported by grants from the U.S.
The Industrial Demand for Helium-3
Helium is a critical input for manufacturing semiconductors, computer chips, optical components, and advanced systems that power electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and modern digital infrastructure. Despite ranking as the second-most abundant element in the universe, helium is scarce on Earth and reserves are depleting rapidly, driving intense economic and political pressure to secure extraterrestrial supplies.
Interlune and Vermeer target helium-3, a light and stable isotope believed to exist in substantial quantities within lunar regolith. Once extracted by specialized machinery, the material will be processed, packaged, and transported back to Earth to supply global technology industries. This commercial pursuit positions lunar resource extraction as a viable economic sector, moving beyond pure scientific exploration toward space-based commodity supply chains.
Global Competition in Lunar Mining
The race to extract space resources involves multiple international players developing specialized hardware for extreme conditions. Japanese construction giant Komatsu announced lunar excavation plans in 2023 and displayed a small-scale electric excavator prototype at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2025 in Las Vegas.
Operating machinery on the Moon presents distinct engineering hurdles due to the lack of an atmosphere, which prevents internal combustion engines from functioning. Consequently, both Interlune-Vermeer and Komatsu rely on electric-powered systems supported by solar energy. Furthermore, equipment must endure extreme temperature swings ranging from 110°C in direct sunlight to -170°C in shadow. Komatsu utilizes specialized thermal controls and electrification technology to engineer solutions for these harsh thermal fluctuations.
Did you know? Lunar surface temperatures can swing by 280 degrees Celsius between daytime highs and nighttime lows, requiring specialized thermal control systems for all mining hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is helium-3 used for?
Helium-3 is an isotope used in semiconductor manufacturing, computer chip production, advanced optics, and various modern technologies.
When will the lunar mining equipment launch?
Interlune and Vermeer are targeting mission-ready excavation equipment by 2028, aligning with NASA’s Moon Base program.
How deep do the excavators need to dig?
The excavators are designed to dig up to three meters beneath the lunar surface to extract material containing helium-3.
Who funds Interlune?
Interlune has raised $18 million through grants from the U.S.
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