• Skua@kbin.earth
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        9 months ago

        Helium has problems of its own, sadly. Besides being a little bit less effective at actually lifting, it’s relatively scarce on Earth and it leaks even faster than hydrogen

        • Chozo@fedia.io
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          9 months ago

          I believe we’re also already getting dangerously close to depleting our supply of helium, as well.

          • Skua@kbin.earth
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            9 months ago

            As I understand it - with the disclaimer that I have no particular expertise or experience in the matter - it’s not quite as dire as that. Historically the USA accounted for basically the entire world’s production, and American reserves that are known and economical to access are getting within something like 50 years of running out. However, other countries have begun to produce much more substantially in recent years, and we probably do have enough to last a good while once the rest of world reserves are accounted for

            However it is still functionally non-renewable and meaningfully finite, so we shouldn’t waste it