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Helium-3 (3He[1][2] see also helion) is a light, stable isotope of helium with two protons and one neutron. (In contrast, the most common isotope, helium-4, has two protons and two neutrons.) Helium-3 and protium (ordinary hydrogen) are the only stable nuclides with more protons than neutrons. It was discovered in 1939.
Helium-3 propulsion would use the fusion of helium-3 atoms as a power source. Helium-3, an isotope of helium with two protons and one neutron, could be fused with deuterium in a reactor. The resulting energy release could expel propellant out the back of the spacecraft. Helium-3 is proposed as a power source for spacecraft mainly because of its ...
By one estimate, the solar wind has deposited more than 1 million tons of helium-3 (3 He) on the Moon's surface. [61] Materials on the Moon's surface contain helium-3 at concentrations estimated between 1.4 and 15 parts per billion (ppb) in sunlit areas, [ 1 ] [ 62 ] [ 63 ] and may contain concentrations as much as 50 ppb in permanently ...
Only about one helium-3 atom exists for every million helium-4 atoms, Horton said. ... according to NASA. Helium inherited from the solar nebula likely became locked in Earth’s core as the ...
Two NASA astronauts aboard Boeing's Starliner will stay on the International Space Station for months because of a faulty propulsion system whose problems included helium leaks. Boeing's Starliner ...
Fusion power. Fusion power is a proposed form of power generation that would generate electricity by using heat from nuclear fusion reactions. In a fusion process, two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, while releasing energy. Devices designed to harness this energy are known as fusion reactors.
“Teams have identified three helium leaks on the spacecraft. One of these was previously discussed before flight along with a management plan,” NASA shared in the post. “The other two are ...
In the Sun, each helium-3 nucleus produced in these reactions exists for only about 400 years before it is converted into helium-4. [9] Once the helium-3 has been produced, there are four possible paths to generate 4 He. In p–p I, helium-4 is produced by fusing two helium-3 nuclei; the p–p II and p–p III branches fuse 3 He with pre ...