‘Mind-Boggling’ Discovery In Minnesota Could Save Future Space Explorations
The biggest deposit ever found in North America was discovered earlier this year in Babbit, Minnesota. It will go a long way to help with the worldwide shortage.
Pulsar Helium announced that they had found a major helium deposit at a site in Babbit, Minnesota. Helium is a very valuable gas used by many industries, including aerospace. There has been a worldwide helium shortage because it's not something we can easily make.
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Why is there a helium shortage?
Helium is created naturally through the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium in the Earth's crust. Russia was a large exporter of helium, but that slowed with the Russia-Ukraine war.
There have been other issues with the helium supply, such as maintenance and issues at production facilities.
What is helium used for?
Helium is used in MRI machines, cryogenics, welding, computers, scientific research, and even party balloons.
Why is helium so important for aerospace?
You may have heard about the Boeing Starliner's helium leaks going on currently at the International Space Station. Helium is used for many aspects of rocketry. Helium is great at detecting leaks because it has low viscosity and is able to detect leaks thousands of times smaller than other methods. It's also used for pressurizing, purging, and is used in rockets to keep hot gases and cold-liquid fuel separated during lift-off, according to Rocky Mountain Air Solutions.
How much helium was discovered in Minnesota?
Pulsar Helium has analyzed the helium deposit and says it's a world-class helium well and is the biggest find in North America. It's among the top-tier helium wells in the entire world. The flow rate of helium is 821,000 cubic feet per day, so no fracking is required.
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Gallery Credit: Sophia Crisafulli
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