Ep 109 - Moon
- May 8
- 1 min read
Could the Moon power Earth? Moon imagines a future built on lunar helium-3 mining—but the real science reveals an even more fascinating story about fusion, AI, space exploration, and the ethical price of humanity's next frontier.
In this episode of Unobtainium, planetary scientist Dr. Amy Mainzer and producer Adam Fratto are joined by lunar expert Dr. Dave Paige (UCLA) to separate science fact from science fiction in Duncan Jones' Moon.
Could we actually mine the Moon for helium-3? Would fusion power make it worthwhile? How much lunar soil would have to be excavated—and could humanity really transform the Moon into Earth's power plant?
Along the way, the conversation explores the realities of lunar exploration, the future of the Artemis program, the economics of space mining, who actually owns the Moon, the ethics of exploiting extraterrestrial resources, and why Moon remains one of the smartest and most emotionally powerful science fiction films ever made.
They also examine the film's surprisingly nuanced AI, its portrayal of isolation in space, and the profound questions it raises about identity, memory, and what we owe one another as we push farther into the solar system.
Whether you're fascinated by space exploration, clean energy, artificial intelligence, or simply great science fiction, this episode reveals how one small independent film asks some of the biggest questions humanity may ever face.
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