# Global competition for lunar resources

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-competition-for-lunar-resource-extraction
> Updated: 2026-10-20T05:00:32.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Competition for lunar resources is intensifying among global powers and private entities. Initial focus has centered on the Moon’s South Pole, where water ice deposits in permanently shadowed regions are considered vital for producing oxygen, water, and fuel. NASA has noted that the strategic areas where ice deposits coincide with sunlit ridges for solar power are extremely limited. This has fueled a rivalry between NASA’s Artemis program and the China-Russia International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), with China’s Chang’e 7 mission scheduled for early 2027.

As the situation evolves, the strategic focus has expanded to include the mining of helium-3, titanium, and rare earth elements. While the United States maintains a lead in crewed flights and commercial launches, China is prioritizing robotic missions and orbital infrastructure. 

Private companies are also entering the field. Seattle-based Interlune plans to deploy a multispectral camera to measure helium-3 concentrations, while the Japanese firm ispace is developing systems for energy-efficient isotope recovery. Additionally, the Madrid-based startup Hispansion is working on manufacturing lunar regolith from terrestrial materials. Helium-3 remains a primary target for its potential use in future fusion technologies, despite current lack of commercial availability.

## Claims

- Interlune plans to send a multispectral camera to the Moon before the end of the year to measure helium-3 concentrations. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- ispace is developing a system for the non-destructive and energy-efficient recovery of helium-3. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Helium-3 is estimated to be valued at 30 million dollars per kilogram on Earth. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Hispansion is a Madrid-based startup founded in 2023 that manufactures lunar regolith from terrestrial materials. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The United States leads in commercial launches and crewed flights. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- China is focusing on robotic lunar missions and orbital infrastructure. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Seattle-based Interlune plans to send a multispectral camera to the Moon before the end of the year to measure helium-3 concentrations. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Japanese company Ispace is developing a system for the non-destructive and energy-efficient recovery of helium-3. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- One kilogram of helium-3 is estimated to be worth 30 million dollars. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Madrid-based startup Hispansion, founded in 2023, manufactures lunar regolith from terrestrial materials. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Titanium and rare earth elements are also identified as potential targets for lunar mining. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-20: Lunar mining becomes a strategic focus for global powers and private firms

Global powers and private companies are accelerating lunar mining efforts, targeting valuable resources like helium-3, titanium, and rare earth elements for future technological use.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lunar-mining-becomes-a-strategic-focus-for-global-powers-and-private-firms

### 2026-09-24: Lunar South Pole resources drive competition between NASA and China

Space agencies are racing to control the Moon's South Pole, where limited water ice deposits are essential for long-term lunar habitation and fuel production.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lunar-south-pole-resources-drive-competition-between-nasa-and-china

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Cite as: Global competition for lunar resources. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-competition-for-lunar-resource-extraction