China is reported to have discovered a new lunar mineral that could be used as an energy source.
Interesting Engineering notes that the first time China claimed to have found a new mineral on the moon, it was in a press conference.
Three more uncrewed Moon missions have been approved by the country's space agency.
International Mineralogical Association has approved the name of a new mineral (Changesite 嫦娥石) discovered in the Chang'e-5 lunar soil one day before the Mid-Autumn Festival #CNSA pic.twitter.com/oprBGkwhBC
— Yuqi Qian (@YuqiiQian) September 9, 2022
Changesite-(Y) is a phosphate mineral found in lunar basalt samples. It is characterized by its c0lumnar shape, colorlessness, and transparency. The mineral is said to have an isotype that could be an energy source in the future.
The claim of a new lunar mineral is a first for China, but not a first for the spacefaring community as a whole. The United States and Russia have also discovered new minerals from lunar samples.
The question of Moon mining will become more important as countries and private entities prepare to launch countless new crewed and uncrewed lunar missions over the next decade. Space policy experts have been calling for an update to the accords since 1967, when they were drafted and put into effect, because of the issue of sovereignty over the moon.
We don't know much about Changesite-(Y) so far, but if it is indeed a potential next- generation energy source, it could change the game even more.
China claims to have found a mineral on the moon.
The moon is awkward. Both the US and China are looking at the same moon landing sites.
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