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In a groundbreaking venture, space tech startup Interlune, led by former Blue Origin executives, has successfully secured $15.5 million in funding for its mission to harvest natural resources from the moon. The company, founded by aerospace veteran Rob Meyerson, who served as president at Blue Origin for 15 years, envisions becoming the pioneer in extracting lunar resources for use on Earth.
With a focus on creating a sustainable in-space economy, Interlune is pioneering an innovative approach to resource extraction, aiming to efficiently and responsibly tap into the moon’s wealth.
This bold initiative aligns with a broader trend in the space industry, signaling a new era of lunar exploration and resource utilization beyond Earth’s boundaries. In a cosmic leap towards resource exploration beyond our planet, spacetech startup Interlune, spearheaded by former Blue Origin leaders, has silently amassed a whopping $15.5 million in new funding. And that’s not the end – an additional $2 million is on the horizon, marking a celestial endorsement of their lunar ambitions, as revealed in their recent filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Guided by the aerospace prowess of Rob Meyerson, who spent a remarkable 15 years at Blue Origin, Interlune is on a mission to revolutionize resource harvesting from the Moon. Picture this: a startup set to be the trailblazer in extracting natural lunar resources for practical use right here on Earth.
Gary Lai, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Interlune and a veteran with a 20-year stint at Blue Origin, sheds light on their unique approach, stating, “We aim to be the first company that harvests natural resources from the moon to use here on Earth.” But here’s the catch – they’re not just in it for the cosmic loot. Lai emphasizes their commitment to an approach that is efficient, cost-effective, and, perhaps most crucially, environmentally responsible.
“We’re building a completely novel approach to extract those resources, efficiently, cost-effectively, and also responsibly. The goal is really to create a sustainable in-space economy,” adds Lai, hinting at the broader vision that goes beyond mere lunar prospecting.
The startup, having successfully closed a $1.85 million seed round in 2022, is not merely a financial supernova. Its recent financial infusion aligns with a more significant cosmic purpose – to be at the forefront of transforming space resources into a sustainable in-space economy.
What does Interlune’s ambition look like in real terms? “Earth’s future is in our orbit,” states the startup on its website, embodying a commitment to harnessing space resources for the benefit of our planet.
Interestingly, Interlune has also caught the attention of the US National Science Foundation (NSF), securing a grant amounting to $246,000. The grant supports their efforts to develop a sophisticated system capable of sorting moon dirt by particle size, a technological feat that could shape the future of lunar exploration.
As Interlune propels itself into the celestial spotlight, this spacetech venture isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about charting a course for a future where space becomes a resource frontier, and Earth’s prosperity extends beyond our atmosphere. Stay tuned as Interlune’s journey unfolds, promising a cosmic narrative that might just redefine our relationship with the Moon and beyond.
