Lunar 3He estimations and related parameters analyses

• DOI: 10.1007/s11430-010-3071-7
• Publication Date: 2010-06-10T12:10:24Z
• Authors: DiHui Li; HeGuang Liu; WeiGuo Zhang; Yun Li; ChuanDong Xu
• Keywords: Regolith

As a potential nuclear fuel, 3He element is significant for both the solution of impending human energy crisis and the conservation of natural environment. Lunar regolith contains abundant and easily extracted 3He. Based on the analyses of the impact factors of 3He abundance, here we have compared a few key assessment parameters and approaches used in lunar regolith 3He reserve estimation and some representative estimation results, and discussed the issues concerned in 3He abundance variation and 3He reserve estimation. Our studies suggest that in a range of at least meters deep, 3He abundance in lunar regolith is homogeneously distributed and generally does not depend on the depth; lunar regolith has long been in a saturation state of 3He trapped by minerals through chemical bonds, and the temperature fluctuation on the lunar surface exerts little influence on the lattice 3He abundance. In terms of above conclusions and the newest lunar regolith depth data from the microwave brightness temperature retrieval of the “ChangE-1” Lunar Microwave Sounder, a new 3He reserve estimation has been presented.