The manned mission to moon by 2020 will pave way for tapping energy-rich helium-3 available in abundance on the satellite, said A. Sivathanu Pillai, Distinguished Scientist and Chief Controller, Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Energy generated through fusion process using helium-3 will be several fold higher than the fission method in vogue, he said, delivering the Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Endowment Lecture at St. Joseph’s College on Thursday. The endowment was instituted by the faculty of Department of Physics, donors, well-wishers and alumni.