Chinese scientists are planning to build an $18 billion magnetic space device to launch resources from the moon back to Earth, aiming to address the planet’s energy crisis.

Developed by researchers at the Shanghai Institute of Satellite Engineering, the device will use magnetic levitation to fling lunar materials, such as helium-3, toward Earth.

Helium-3 is seen as a potential clean energy source through nuclear fusion, with just 20 tons potentially powering China for a year.

The 80-ton launcher will rely on solar and nuclear energy and will be transported to space by China’s Long March 9 rocket, the New York Post has reported.

Despite technical challenges, the device is expected to significantly reduce transport costs and is designed to operate on the moon for up to 20 years.

Written by B.C. Begley