Cryogenics Beyond Sci‑Fi: Rocket Fuels and Separation Systems

In this episode of Crazy Wisdom, host Stewart Alsop talks with Rob Meyerson, co-founder and CEO of Interlune and former president of Blue Origin, about building the next phase of the space economy—from mining Helium-3 on the Moon to powering quantum computing and future fusion reactors on Earth. They explore the science behind lunar regolith, cryogenic separation, robotic excavation, and how private industry is rekindling the optimism of Apollo. Rob also shares lessons from scaling Blue Origin and explains why knowledge management and intuition matter when engineering at the edge of possibility. Follow Rob and Interlune on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

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Timestamps

00:00 Stewart Alsop welcomes Rob Meyerson, who introduces Interlune’s mission to extract Helium-3 from the Moon and explains its origins in the Apollo samples.
05:00 Meyerson describes how lunar regolith traps solar wind gases, the role of ilmenite, and how spectrometry helps identify promising Helium-3 sites.
10:00 Discussion shifts to Helium-3’s commercial potential, the Department of Energy’s isotope program, and its link to tritium decay and nuclear stockpiles.
15:00 Meyerson connects Helium-3 to quantum computing, explaining cryogenic dilution refrigeration and the importance of ultra-cold temperatures.
20:00 They explore cryogenic engineering, partnerships with Vermeer for lunar excavation, and developing solar wind–implanted regolith simulants.
25:00 Rob reflects on his 15 years at Blue Origin, scaling from 10 to 1,500 people, and the importance of documentation and knowledge retention.
30:00 The talk turns to lunar water, propellant production, and how solar and nuclear power could support a permanent in-space economy.
35:00 Meyerson outlines robotic harvesting, lunar night hibernation, and AI applications for navigation, autonomy, and resource mapping.
40:00 The conversation broadens to intuition in engineering, testing in lunar gravity, and lessons from Apollo’s lost momentum and industrial base.
50:00 Rob closes with optimism for private industry’s role in rebuilding lunar infrastructure and how Interlune fits into humanity’s return to the Moon.

Key Insights

1. Helium-3 as a Lunar Resource: Rob Meyerson explains that Helium-3, a rare isotope on Earth but abundant on the Moon due to billions of years of solar wind implantation, could power future fusion energy and enable cleaner, more efficient energy sources. Interlune’s mission is to commercialize this resource, beginning with robotic prospecting and extraction missions.
2. The Science of Lunar Regolith: The Moon’s regolith—the dusty surface soil—acts as a natural collector of solar wind gases like hydrogen, helium, and helium-3. Meyerson describes how Interlune identifies promising mining locations using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the presence of ilmenite, a titanium-rich mineral that traps more Helium-3 than other regions.
3. Cryogenics and Quantum Computing: Helium-3 is essential for dilution refrigerators that cool quantum computers to millikelvin temperatures, colder than any place in the universe. Meyerson highlights a new commercial contract with Bluefors, a Finnish cryogenics leader, to supply Helium-3 starting in 2028—proving the economic case for lunar resource extraction.
4. Fusion Energy and Strategic Supply: While today’s fusion reactors rely on tritium and deuterium, Helium-3 could be the next-generation fuel—safer and more efficient. With tritium decay from aging nuclear stockpiles as the only current terrestrial source, Interlune’s lunar supply could fill a critical gap for future clean-energy systems.
5. Building Lunar Infrastructure: Interlune’s long-term vision extends beyond Helium-3 to producing rocket propellant, metals, and industrial materials on the Moon. By developing cryogenic separation and excavation systems, they aim to enable a self-sustaining “in-space economy” where resources mined in space fuel space-based operations.
6. AI and Autonomy in Space Mining: Artificial intelligence and advanced sensing will guide robotic harvesters on the Moon’s harsh terrain. AI will also analyze imagery and soil data to map Helium-3 concentrations and manage knowledge across missions, turning data into operational insight.
7. Lessons in Leadership and Scale: Drawing from his 15 years leading Blue Origin, Meyerson stresses the importance of documentation, mentorship, and maintaining technical continuity as teams grow. He contrasts Apollo’s lost potential with today’s resurgence of private space ventures, expressing deep optimism for U.S. innovation and the rebirth of lunar industry.