Helium-3

Helium 3 Space Game

In 2035 the predicted 'energy crash' has become reality. Reserves of fossil fuels have reached critical levels and renewable energy sources cannot cope with the increased demand for power. Planet Earth is in danger of grinding to a halt. The exploitation of a new source of energy will change everything.

Worth $4 million dollars per kilo, Helium 3 produces no harmful by-products and as little as 100 tonnes could power the entire planet for a year. All you have to do is go get it. Helium 3 was first discovered during the Apollo missions of the 1970's. It is emitted as a by-product of the sun's own nuclear reactions and blown across the galaxy by solar winds. Lacking Earth's protective magnetic field, the lunar soil has absorbed Helium 3 for millions and millions of years.

The International Lunar Exploration Program (ILEP) was formed with a single goal: to exploit the one million tonnes of Helium 3 that lie beneath the lunar surface. Setting up the infrastructure necessary to facilitate large scale mining on the moon called for an unprecedented level of co-operation between rival space agencies. With the planet's very future at stake, past grievances and petty self-interests had to be put aside – for the time being at least. United under the banner of the ILEP, the moon is divided into four international sectors: American, Russian, Chinese and Indian.

Each sector is responsible for issuing licenses which designate the zones that a particular company can mine within. Helium 3 will be extracted by giant Xenomorphic Terrain Reconnaissance and Collection vehicles. Operating in the most hostile environment known to man, only Earth's toughest merchant engineers get to be X-TRACT pilots. Do you have what it takes?

At $4 million per kilo, Helium 3 is the most valuable natural resource in the universe. Competition between rival mining companies is fierce: zonal disputes, claim-stealing, sabotage and attacks from unlicensed mercenary miners; are hazards that must be faced daily. The 2033 Heston Proclamation granted all licensed miners the right to bear arms in defence of their claim. Your X-TRACT vehicles are fitted with twin GR80 Pulse Cannons. Defence of your claim is not only your constitutional right, but a necessity if you wish to extract more Helium 3 than your rivals.

Everyone knows who was first on the moon, but no-one ever remembers who was second.
Don't be second.

Remember, a kilo of Helium 3 is potentially worth a cool $4 million.
One million tonnes of Helium 3 lie beneath the lunar surface.
You do the maths. Earn your fortune and save the Earth.