Former commander of the International Space Station, Terry Virts, has stated that missions like Artemis II are only the beginning of the space economy. One of the focuses at Space Week at MIT is the potential for pharmaceuticals, human tissues, and raw materials. Virts suggests that space could also become a source of raw materials, potentially including helium-3, an isotope of helium found on the moon, which could potentially be used in nuclear fusion. The International Space station is nearing its retirement, preparing to be decommissioned in 2030, and Virts believes major advancements are possible in the next decade.