Helium

Helium is a noble gas. Periodic table symbol He. It can be ionized and used as fuel for an ion drive, as well as a coolant for high temperature gas core nuclear reactors, and as a cryogenic coolant.

Helium does not form bonded molecule and the natural form is He. Helium has two stable isotopes, He3, rare, and He4, common. He3 is regarded as a possible fuel for aneutronic nuclear fusion. (If we do build fusion reactors that can burn He3, it is the most energy dense natural fuel in the universe.) He3 and He4 are likely to be rare on Mars as they are so light that they will escape from the atmosphere. See Atmospheric loss for more information.

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