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I've been thinking for decades now that creating my own stockpile of helium would be one of those crazy stories that would end up being insanely profitable. Aki

I've been thinking for decades now that creating my own stockpile of helium would be one of those crazy stories that would end up being insanely profitable. Akin to Elon making reusable rockets. I read about counter arguments saying that helium is easy enough to source that it is really just an issue of the price/extraction ratio. Because of that, making your own stock pile company doesn't make sense. Then, I read articles like this, that make me think it has nothing to do with the price/extraction ratio and everything to do with government control of production. Obviously, I'm never going to do it, but it is a fun thought exercise anyway. I will add though, I've been seeing these helium stories cycle a bit more recently. I wonder what phase we are in.

otabdeveloper4 3y ago
Reusable rockets aren't profitable. They're a gimmick to skirt around NASA government contract requirements.
- weregiraffe 3y ago
  This is complete nonsense.
- MrYellowP 3y ago
  Why do you believe it's not profitable? What about all that material cost sunk into the rocket, that they don't have to spend again for a new one?
  - otabdeveloper4 3y ago
    The cost of rebuilding the "reusable" rocket from scratch after every launch is orders of magnitude more expensive than the cost of material.
    - weregiraffe 3y ago
      This is complete nonsense again. Perhaps you think USA still uses Space Shuttle?
MrYellowP 3y ago
"doesn't make sense". What doesn't make sense is overthinking it. If the price of Helium went up over the years, the price of Helium is going to keep going up over the next years. When everyone tells you that we're going to run out, then the value is simply going to go up. What people say about profitability is irrelevant. What matters is the price trend, not their opinions. Now go take a look at charts. You're not going to like it. :)
- toufka 3y ago
  There’s one law of physics difference here: (with a few exceptions) helium, because it’s lighter than air, will never replenish on our planet. There is currently most of what there ever will be. Unlike (almost?) every other object of commerce, there is an almost completely inelastic total supply. It is the ultimate non-renewable resource.

otabdeveloper4 3y ago

Reusable rockets aren't profitable. They're a gimmick to skirt around NASA government contract requirements.

weregiraffe 3y ago
This is complete nonsense.
MrYellowP 3y ago
Why do you believe it's not profitable? What about all that material cost sunk into the rocket, that they don't have to spend again for a new one?
- otabdeveloper4 3y ago
  The cost of rebuilding the "reusable" rocket from scratch after every launch is orders of magnitude more expensive than the cost of material.
  - weregiraffe 3y ago
    This is complete nonsense again. Perhaps you think USA still uses Space Shuttle?

MrYellowP 3y ago

"doesn't make sense". What doesn't make sense is overthinking it. If the price of Helium went up over the years, the price of Helium is going to keep going up over the next years. When everyone tells you that we're going to run out, then the value is simply going to go up. What people say about profitability is irrelevant. What matters is the price trend, not their opinions. Now go take a look at charts. You're not going to like it. :)

toufka 3y ago
There’s one law of physics difference here: (with a few exceptions) helium, because it’s lighter than air, will never replenish on our planet. There is currently most of what there ever will be. Unlike (almost?) every other object of commerce, there is an almost completely inelastic total supply. It is the ultimate non-renewable resource.