China found a brand-new mineral in samples from the moon. What it means

China has found a brand new mineral on the moon other than crucial information on the lunar's Helium-3 concentration. It all sounds like garbled science language, but the discovery of 'finite resources' on the moon is what is likely to give birth to the space race. 

There are a lot of firsts in this discovery. But we will get to that later. First, let's take a look at what was actually found. 

What did China find? China was studying the lunar samples brought to Earth in December 2020, called Chang'e-5. So, far researchers found two noteworthy things:

1. Helium-3

This is not a new discovery. What is new, however, is that Chinese researchers say they have found the concentration of this rare isotope in lunar samples. They have also determined its extraction parameters. 

2. Changesite-(Y) 

China has discovered a brand new mineral on the moon. It looks like a colourless columnar crystal or like a diamond. There is not much known about this mineral and what its use could be. 

The new discoveries pose several questions. While there is still only so much known about Changesite-(Y), we can answer a few questions on the new knowledge about Helium-3. 

What is Helium-3? It is an isotope that's rarely found on Earth and is estimated to be in abundance on the moon. This is one of the "oils" on the moon that humans have their eyes on. 

Why is it important? Helium-3 is a sought-after "fuel" that could fire up our nuclear plants, but without all the bad things that come with it - like radioactive and polluting substances. Helium-3 can help us use nuclear energy, cleanly. 

Not just nuclear energy, but one day, Helium-3 is likely to power our spacecraft. It means that once we find out how to extract Helium-3 from the moon, spacecraft on various missions in the great unknown will not need to return to Earth to refuel.  

What is the importance of the new discovery about Helium-3? China has discovered the concentration of Helium-3 in lunar samples. The concentration of an element provides an idea of how much of the real substance is present in the source material. It helps separate the different properties of the source in which the material is found. 

It means that we could be one step further in our effort to mine Helium-3. But that's still a long way to go. 

How close are we to mining the moon? It has been known since the first time a human set foot on the moon that countries were exploring the natural satellite for its hidden resources or the next Persian Gulf. As we use up the finite resources on Earth, the resources on the moon will be crucial to sustaining life. 

But as 911 Metallurgist puts it, our plan for mining resources on the moon is like the business proposal of underpants stealing gnomes from South Park. 

Phase 1: Go to the moon

Phase 2: Mine - Don't know how - ???

Phase 3: Bring back the resources - make a profit.

 

Here's one way it can be done: 

What are the many firsts of this discovery? 

1. Changesite-(Y) is the 6th mineral found on the moon. 
2. China is only the 3rd country to discover a mineral.
3. The new discovery comes nearly 40 years after the last mineral was found. 
4. This is the first time the world knows about Helium-3's concentration in lunar samples (though China has not shared much information about it and is unlikely to share the knowledge).

The Moon mining race: It's not just about discoveries. Unlike earlier, countries are not even agreeing to basic cooperation in space. This is exacerbated by problems on Earth like the tension between the US and its allies and China and its allies. 

So, each country wants to be the leader in the space, set the rules, and claim the area to themselves. With China, the US fears if they reach the moon or any other lucrative space area first, they might see the area as exclusively theirs based on the resources as they do for South China Sea. 

Who gets the resources also dictates the power dynamics on Earth. China is already the leading source of raw materials, called REM, required for manufacturing modern electronic items like phones and computers. But those resources are running out and according to 911 Metallurgist, it might run out in 15-20 years' time. 

So, if China is able to get the resources from the moon first, it can continue to assert its dominance in the manufacturing area. And if it gets its hands on Helium-3, it can also get the first market mover advantage in the clean nuclear energy sector.