Stealth Startup Interlune Raises $15.5 Million for Moon Resource Harvesting
In a surprising turn of events, a stealth startup called Interlune has recently secured a substantial amount of funding for its moon resource harvesting project. Led by former leaders from Blue Origin, the company has managed to raise $15.5 million in new funding, with plans to secure an additional $2 million. This marks the first public announcement of funding for Interlune since its $1.85 million seed round in 2022.
Despite its low profile, Interlune has been in operation for at least three years, keeping its technological advancements under wraps. The startup aims to revolutionize resource extraction from the moon and create a sustainable in-space economy. While Interlune declined to comment on the recent funding, much of what is known about the company was revealed by GeekWire last October.
During a speech at Seattle’s Museum of Flight, Interlune’s Chief Technology Officer Gary Lai briefly shed light on the startup’s mission. Lai, an aerospace engineer with an impressive background at Blue Origin, including a 20-year stint and the role of chief architect for space transportation systems, explained that Interlune intends to be the first company to harvest natural resources from the moon for use on Earth. Lai emphasized the importance of developing a novel approach to extract these resources efficiently, cost-effectively, and responsibly.
Interlune’s leadership team comprises industry veterans who bring a wealth of experience to the table. Rob Meyerson, the former president of Blue Origin for 15 years, is spearheading the company. Meyerson is not only an aerospace executive but also a prolific angel investor, with investments in well-known hardware startups such as Axiom Space, Starfish Space, Hermeus, and Hadrian Automation. Additionally, H. Indra Hornsby, a former general counsel at BlackSky and Spaceflight Industries, as well as an executive VP at Rocket Lab, is listed as a company executive.
While Interlune’s technological details remain largely undisclosed, some information can be gleaned from an abstract of a small SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant awarded to the startup by the National Science Foundation. The grant focuses on developing a core enabling technology for lunar in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). Specifically, Interlune aims to create a system capable of sorting lunar regolith (commonly known as “moon dirt”) by particle size. This technology will provide the necessary feedstocks for various applications, including lunar oxygen extraction systems and lunar 3-dimensional printers.
Interlune’s endeavors align with a growing trend in the space industry known as in-situ resource utilization. Many space startups are now focused on collecting and transforming space resources into valuable commodities. NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term human outpost on the moon, has been a driving force behind this push. The agency recognizes that sustained human presence in space necessitates the ability to generate materials locally for construction, air production, and even rocket propellants.
Interestingly, it’s not just startups that are venturing into commercializing ISRU technology. Blue Origin made headlines last year when it announced its successful creation of solar cells and transmission wires using a material chemically identical to lunar regolith. The company emphasized the importance of collaboration across the ISRU community to learn how to “live off the land” on the moon and Mars. Interlune echoes this sentiment in its abstract, highlighting the disruptive capability of utilizing the moon’s resources for both government agencies and industry.
With its recent funding success, Interlune is poised to make significant strides in moon resource harvesting. As the world looks towards a future of sustained space exploration and colonization, the ability to extract and utilize resources from celestial bodies like the moon becomes increasingly vital. Interlune’s innovative approach and experienced leadership team position the startup as a key player in the emerging in-space economy.