Although the moon is rich in minerals, water is the most sought after. China may have achieved what the United States and other countries aspire to. This discovery could give the Asian giant an edge in space exploration.
Space mining requires another important ingredient: water.
The space race, by definition human, is nothing more than a race to find resources in outer space, and that’s where some of the excitement has been building in recent years. Then came terms like “space mining,” a term used to mean nothing with nothing. What we’re essentially looking for is a way to extract ore from the Moon and Mars that can be turned into wealth here on Earth.
Of course, with humanity's limitations, technologically and otherwise, only these two stars mentioned above are within our reach. The good thing about this story is that China Finally discovered water On the moon and claims to have proof.
China makes history and surpasses the United States?
Team of Chinese scientists have identified a type of mineral With water in its molecular composition in a lunar sample retrieved by Chang'e-5.
A growing body of evidence suggests that there is water or water ice on the Moon's surface, but it is most likely in the form of hydroxyl groups.
Chinese scientists say.
This discovery marks the first time scientists have found complete H2O molecules in lunar samples. According to the study authors, the results suggest that “water molecules may persist in the sunlit regions of the Moon in the form of hydrated salts.”
It is likely to be Deja vu As for the subject of water on the moon, it is no wonder, because amidst confusing headlines and mixed concepts, we have all heard more than once that we collected water samples on the satellite. It turned out that it was not molecular water, but hydroxyl.
the Hydroxyl may indicate the presence of water. Because it can combine with hydrogen ions to form water once released from its mineral host.
In contrast, hydroxyl in minerals indicates the presence of water in the past, because the incorporation of hydroxyl into minerals is usually the result of a reaction with water during their formation. However, this new discovery from China is not hydroxyl, but rather canonical molecular water in physical samples.
How was the discovery process?
Using X-ray diffraction, the team analyzed lunar soil grains in which they found a mineral from the satellite called ULM-1, which is more than 40% water by mass (which also includes ammonia).
This is a new form of water stored on the moon.
“It’s a very interesting phenomenon,” explains Xiaolong Chen, co-author of the study and a physics researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The discovery is consistent with the previous detection of water on the moon by NASA’s SOFIA telescope in 2020, although it was not possible to confirm it with physical samples at the time. NASA and Indian spacecraft have already detected signs of water on the moon, particularly in the form of ice and water molecules, at the poles.
In addition, China has also discovered water trapped in glass spheres containing hydroxyl, which solar winds can convert into water. Now, the new discoveries open up potential ways to extract water from the moon.
The samples were recovered at 43.1 degrees latitude. An area previously considered unsuitable for molecular waters.Because the element was found within a new mineral called ULM-1, and settled there. AmmoniaResearchers believe it could be a potential resource for habitation on the Moon, supporting China's space exploration ambitions (and plans to build a research base on the Moon).
The discovery of the hydrous mineral at the Chang'e-5 landing site is exciting and will increase our understanding of rock-vapor interactions in the lunar crust and lunar surface.
David A. Kring, chief scientist at the Texas Lunar and Planetary Institute, explained.
With this discovery, the race for lunar soil and its many riches may finally be open. China is exploring our satellite alongside the United States.
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