by Allie Vice
Forget the Force—what humanity really needs now is fusion power. In a galaxy not so far away (our own), the race to secure clean, limitless energy has turned our collective gaze back to the Moon. Resting just beneath its surface lies an extraordinary resource: Helium-3, a rare isotope capable of fueling our planet’s energy needs for the next 10,000 years without the radioactive waste of traditional nuclear power. Even more remarkable? We already possess the technology to mine it. The question isn’t whether we can harness this power; it’s whether we’ll do so for the benefit of all humanity or stand by as a new empire of monopolies rises to control and corrupt this unprecedented opportunity. The battle for the future isn’t among the stars—it’s here, and it’s happening now.
As Helium-3 mining moves from science fiction to reality, the international community must act now to develop collaborative funding partnerships and a strong governance structure that will prevent monopolization and promote universal access to this energy source.
We already have, or are very close to having, the technology needed to extract Helium-3 from the Moon and bring it back to Earth. What we don’t have is the funding to make this happen. Relying on taxpayer dollars isn’t realistic, especially since it will take years before we see the results. Instead, international organizations like the United Nations should partner with private companies to raise the necessary funds. For example, according to ICON Build, NASA is working with ICON, a private space company, to develop sustainable human habitats on the Moon using robotic technology. ICON plans to use autonomous robots to mine lunar rock and 3D print structures directly on the Moon’s surface, cutting down the need to transport building materials from Earth. In addition to its technological expertise, ICON has already raised over $500 million for its projects and is valued at around $2 billion, as reported by Silicon Valley Investclub. Partnerships like this can provide both the advanced technology and the financial resources needed to close the funding gap and move these efforts forward.
The bigger issue we face isn’t just technology or funding; it’s the lack of clear and updated space laws. Right now, space is uncharted territory, with only a few treaties in place to guide how we operate beyond Earth. The main agreement we rely on is the Outer Space Treaty, which has strong international support with 115 member nations and 22 additional signatories, according to The Planetary Society. But this treaty was created back in 1967, two years before humans even landed on the Moon, and it hasn’t been updated since. It simply doesn’t address the modern challenges we face today. And as much as I enjoy the Mandalorian or Boba Fett in Star Wars, we cannot let space become as lawless as the Wild West or the Outer Rim. To prevent powerful nations from monopolizing critical resources like Helium-3, we need a strong, permanent branch of the United Nations focused on space governance. While the UN already has the Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), it hasn’t been updated or strengthened since 1993. We have two choices: create a new governing body or empower UNOOSA to develop the laws and regulations needed to ensure fair access to space resources. If we fail to act, we risk seeing the wealthiest spacefaring nations take control of this vital resource, leaving others behind.
Helium-3 represents an incredible opportunity for clean energy. According to EDInformatics, the top few meters of the Moon’s surface contain an estimated 1.1 million metric tons of this isotope. To put that into perspective, just 25 metric tons could power the United States for a year, as reported in an article by ExplainingTheFuture.com. In total, this supply could meet global energy needs for nearly 10,000 years. According to The European Space Agency, what makes Helium-3 especially valuable is that it’s nonradioactive, meaning it doesn’t produce hazardous waste like traditional nuclear energy sources. By forging partnerships with private companies and establishing a strong, permanent UN body dedicated to space governance, we can access this resource responsibly, support our economies, and ensure fair access for all nations. Beyond Helium-3, this approach lays the groundwork for future space, from helping developing countries grow their own space programs to modernizing outdated treaties like the Outer Space Treaty–and much more.
There are two main challenges to this mission: the Moon Agreement and potential conflicts of interest between global equity and private businesses. Some argue that the Moon Agreement prevents individual nations from mining on the Moon, because article 2 states it “is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty” and it “shall be the province of all mankind”. However, the agreement doesn’t explicitly ban mining. Instead, it leaves the issue open-ended, stating that if mining were to occur, it would require an international system to govern it, as noted by the Institute of Air and Space Law. One purpose of creating a separate UN body for space would be to establish this system and create specific branches for initiatives like Helium-3 mining, following the guidance of the Moon Agreement. This body would also set clear rules for space resource extraction, requiring private companies to operate under licensing agreements that include profit-sharing with developing countries and investments in global clean energy projects. This approach allows private innovation to continue while ensuring the benefits of space resources are shared fairly across all countries.
The path forward is clear: we can either stand by as a new empire of monopolies rises to control the final frontier, or we can lead with courage and cooperation to ensure space remains a shared domain for all humanity. The choice is ours, but the time to act is now and we have to fully commit ourselves to establishing collaboration. In the words of a famous Jedi, “Do or do not. There is no try.” May the fusion be with us all.
About the Author
Allie Vice is a School of Diplomacy student who participated in the UN Field Seminar course in the Spring 2025 semester.