Scientists have discovered a new lunar crystal, Changesite-(Y), which contains helium-3, a promising element for nuclear fusion.
This transparent crystal, named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang’e, was found in lunar basalt particles collected during China’s 2020 Chang’e 5 mission in Oceanus Procellarum.
China is now the third country, after the US and the former Soviet Union, to identify a new lunar mineral.
The crystal formed in a volcanically active region of the moon about 1.2 billion years ago. One of its key components, helium-3, is rare on Earth but abundant on the moon. This element is considered a potential stable fuel for nuclear fusion, a process that mimics the energy generation of stars but without the hazardous waste produced by nuclear fission.
Helium-3 could revolutionize energy production, with an estimated $3 billion value per ton. About 25 tons of helium-3 could power the US for a year. However, extracting and transporting large amounts from the moon presents significant logistical and financial challenges.
The discovery may intensify the race among countries and private companies to mine helium-3 on the moon. China’s upcoming Chang’e 6 mission, scheduled for 2024, aims to collect samples from the moon’s far side, potentially unlocking further insights into this valuable resource.
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