Interlune and Vermeer Expand Partnership for Lunar Infrastructure

Seattle-based space startup Interlune is significantly expanding its collaboration with Iowa's Vermeer, a leading industrial equipment manufacturer, to develop crucial construction tools for establishing lunar infrastructure. This broadened partnership, announced today, pivots to directly support NASA's ambitious 10-year, $30 billion initiative to build a permanent moon base.

The initial strategic alliance between the two companies, established over a year ago, focused primarily on Interlune's plans to extract helium-3 from lunar regolith. A full-scale prototype of a lunar excavator was unveiled during that period. However, NASA's major announcement in March regarding a dedicated moon base infrastructure initiative prompted a re-evaluation of the partnership's scope.

Interlune co-founder and CEO Rob Meyerson confirmed the shift to GeekWire, stating that the teams realized the partnership could extend beyond helium-3 to address broader construction needs. "We went back to Vermeer … and we decided that it made sense to formally expand the partnership to focus on all these other things that we’ve had in mind," Meyerson said.

The expanded agreement between Interlune and Vermeer aims to address the diverse needs of lunar construction. This includes critical tasks such as building roads, compacting surfaces for habitats, digging trenches for utility lines, and moving rocks to clear sites. The heavy equipment developed could also be vital for constructing protective berms around future lunar nuclear reactors, a key element of NASA's power strategy for the moon.

Vermeer, a company founded nearly 80 years ago, brings extensive terrestrial heavy equipment expertise to the lunar challenge. CEO Jason Andringa, a former staff engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, expressed his personal enthusiasm for the collaboration. He noted his long-held hope to merge his passion for aerospace and human exploration with Vermeer's capabilities to do important work on the moon and Mars.

Interlune is already progressing on related projects. The company is working with the Colorado School of Mines on the design of an implement capable of digging trenches or excavating lunar soil, supported by a $150,000 NASA contract awarded earlier this year. Meyerson emphasized that the formalized Vermeer partnership will elevate such projects.

"We want to really formalize the partnership so that we can start to think beyond prototypes, and think about sustainable operations, systems that are resilient to the environment," Meyerson explained, highlighting the combined strengths of the team. The immediate goal is to build a demonstration tool focusing on leveling, rock removal, and compaction.

This initial lunar construction tool is targeted for deployment on a lunar vehicle by 2028 or 2029. This timeline aligns with NASA's plans to send Lunar Terrain Vehicles (LTVs) to the moon for the Artemis 5 mission, currently scheduled for late 2028. Andringa suggested a "surface mining" approach, using a drum attachment to mill and compact the top layer of regolith.

While the construction focus expands, Interlune continues its original helium-3 mining initiatives. The company's first space mission, 'Crescent Moon,' will send a multispectral camera to the lunar surface later this year to estimate helium-3 concentrations. Additionally, the 'Prospect Moon' mission, which recently secured $6.9 million in NASA funding, is slated for 2028 to test actual helium-3 and hydrogen extraction methods.

Vermeer is also pursuing a separate partnership with Astroport Space Technologies, another company developing robotic systems for lunar construction. Andringa sees ample opportunity, noting that the work on lunar equipment, though a small percentage of Vermeer's overall operations, is highly motivating. He believes the lessons learned from building for the moon will enhance Vermeer's terrestrial capabilities.

FAQ

Q: What specific types of construction tasks will Interlune and Vermeer's tools address on the moon?

A: The tools will be designed for tasks like building roads, compacting surfaces, digging trenches for underground utilities, moving rocks to clear sites, and constructing protective berms, potentially for nuclear reactors, to support a lunar base.

Q: When could these lunar construction tools be deployed on the moon?

A: A demonstration tool focusing on leveling, rock removal, and compaction is targeted for deployment on a lunar vehicle in 2028 or 2029. This timing coincides with NASA's Artemis 5 mission, which plans to send Lunar Terrain Vehicles (LTVs).

Q: Is Interlune still pursuing its original goal of helium-3 mining?

A: Yes, Interlune continues its helium-3 mining initiatives alongside the expanded construction partnership. Upcoming missions, Crescent Moon (for helium-3 assessment) and Prospect Moon (for extraction method testing), are planned for later this year and 2028, respectively.