When China’s Chang’e-5 mission drilled into the moon’s surface and returned with fresh samples, it stunned the scientific community. Among the materials were tiny glass beads, formed by ancient impacts, that unexpectedly contained water—a landmark achievement in lunar exploration. On December 1, 2020, China launched the Chang’e-5 spacecraft from the Wenchang launch site in Hainan. Weighing nearly 8 tons, this advanced probe was tasked with reaching the moon, collecting subsurface samples, and returning them to Earth, a feat not accomplished since the 1970s. After nearly a month in space, the lander separated and touched down in Oceanus Procellarum, a vast volcanic plain on the moon’s far side near the equator. This region, marked by the towering Mons Rümker, a 5,250-foot volcanic structure, has long fascinated scientists. The successful landing was celebrated globally as a triumph, reviving interest in lunar science since the last lunar rock return mission in 1976. Within two weeks, Chinese engineers drilled beneath the moon’s surface, collecting samples believed to be a billion years older than those from the Apollo missions. The ascent module rejoined the orbiter, and on December 17, the sample capsule landed in Mongolia. For China, it was a moment of pride; for science, a leap forward. Researchers eagerly analyzed the samples, anticipating insights into lunar geology and the moon’s internal dynamics. The mission challenged assumptions about the moon’s arid nature and highlighted China’s growing prowess in space exploration. Beyond technical success, Chang’e-5 symbolized China’s ability to conduct complex space operations and its commitment to deepening our understanding of the moon.
Exploring an Uncharted Lunar Region
Chang’e-5 landed in Oceanus Procellarum, a previously unexplored volcanic plain aptly named the “Ocean of Storms,” despite being a dark, basaltic expanse rather than a sea. Near the landing site, the prominent Mons Rümker, formed by ancient lava flows, offered a unique opportunity. Previously studied only through remote imaging, this region showed signs of past volcanic activity and intriguing geological features. Scientists chose this site deliberately, believing it could unlock secrets about the moon’s volcanic history and potential resources. The far-side location added complexity, requiring a communication relay system, unlike earlier missions targeting Earth-visible areas. This demonstrated China’s technological sophistication. The lander drilled deeper than prior missions, seeking water, unusual minerals, and evidence of ancient activity. Oceanus Procellarum’s terrain, potentially older than Apollo samples by hundreds of millions of years, could reveal details about early meteor impacts, volcanic eruptions, and surface formation processes, reigniting global enthusiasm for lunar science.
Digging Deeper Than Ever Before
Chang’e-5’s core mission was to extract subsurface materials, going beyond the surface soil or dust collected by earlier missions. Its drill penetrated ancient rock layers in Oceanus Procellarum, aiming to uncover a history shaped by heat, impacts, and volcanism. After drilling, the ascent vehicle launched, rendezvoused with the orbiter, and transferred its cargo within a tight 14-day window due to the moon’s harsh environment. The returned samples, buried deep for eons, could shed light on the moon’s violent origins, possibly linked to a planet-sized collision with Earth that sent molten debris into orbit. These older rocks might carry thermal or chemical clues about that event or reveal new insights. Chang’e-5 proved that deep lunar sampling is feasible and valuable, paving the way for future robotic and human missions to explore even deeper lunar secrets.
Unearthing the Moon’s Ancient Past
What sets Chang’e-5 apart is the age of its samples, estimated to be a billion years older than Apollo’s, offering a window into the moon’s distant past. Scientists theorize the moon formed from debris ejected by a Mars-sized object colliding with Earth, a process thought to have evaporated most water and light elements. However, Chang’e-5’s samples revealed water, minerals, and a new phosphate mineral, Changesite-(Y), with potential applications in nuclear fusion. Glass beads, formed by meteorite impacts melting lunar rock, contained water likely created by solar wind hydrogen bonding with oxygen. These findings challenge the notion of a dry moon and suggest a dynamic history of impacts and volcanism, with practical implications for future exploration and energy production.
Water Hiding in Plain Sight
Chang’e-5’s most surprising discovery was water within microscopic glass beads in the lunar soil. Long considered bone-dry due to its thin atmosphere and intense heat, the moon was revealed to host water in beads formed by comet or asteroid impacts. Each bead contains about 2,000 parts per million of water, a small amount individually but significant across the moon’s surface. One metric ton of lunar soil could yield up to 2,000 liters of water under Earth-like conditions. This suggests astronauts could extract water by heating soil almost anywhere, not just in shadowed polar craters, transforming mission planning for hydration, agriculture, or fuel production. The water likely formed as solar wind hydrogen bonded with oxygen in the lunar glass over eons, revealing a more dynamic moon than previously thought.
Lunar Water Found in Unexpected Places
Chang’e-5 shattered the belief that lunar water was confined to polar ice in shadowed craters. Its samples showed water-bearing glass beads scattered across the moon’s surface, formed by ancient impacts. These beads, each holding trace water, could collectively form a vast reservoir—potentially 300 billion short tons. This means water extraction isn’t limited to polar regions; mid-latitude or equatorial sites could support missions by heating soil to release water vapor. This flexibility reduces reliance on Earth-supplied water, cutting costs and enabling sustainable lunar bases. The discovery that solar wind and impacts created this water highlights the moon’s dynamic resource potential.
Reassessing the Moon’s Water Potential
Chang’e-5 redefined our understanding of lunar water. Previously thought scarce and polar-confined, water now appears abundant in glass beads across the moon’s surface. With one metric ton of regolith potentially yielding 2,000 liters of water, the moon’s total water reserve could be immense. This allows future missions to target diverse locations, supporting bases with water for drinking, farming, or fuel. The ability to extract water from widespread soil makes sustained lunar presence more feasible, turning the dream of long-term habitation into a tangible goal.
A Mineral Discovery That Could Change Everything
Chang’e-5 uncovered Changesite-(Y), a new phosphate mineral named after the mission and the Chinese moon deity. This mineral may store helium-3, a rare isotope ideal for nuclear fusion, which produces clean, powerful energy with minimal waste. Helium-3 is scarce on Earth but potentially abundant on the moon. Changesite-(Y) could act as a natural reservoir, sparking interest in lunar mining. If viable, helium-3 extraction could fuel fusion reactors, revolutionizing Earth’s energy landscape. The mineral also provides insights into the moon’s geological history, shaped by billions of years of impacts, and signals a new era of resource-driven lunar exploration.
Fusion Fuel from the Moon: A Clean Energy Revolution
Chang’e-5’s discovery of helium-3 in Changesite-(Y) offers hope for nuclear fusion. Just 28 short tons of helium-3 could power the U.S. for a year, but harvesting it requires overcoming logistical challenges like mining and transport. Paired with water findings, this positions the moon as a key to solving Earth’s energy and climate challenges. Governments and industries are now eyeing lunar resources, shifting space exploration from scientific prestige to practical solutions for global issues.
New Era of Lunar Development and Economic Opportunity
Chang’e-5’s findings—widespread water and helium-3—reframe the moon as a platform for human expansion and economic activity. Water in glass beads enables sustainable habitats across diverse lunar regions, while helium-3 could drive clean energy. These discoveries have spurred global interest, with China planning Chang’e-6, NASA advancing Artemis, and private companies joining the race. Lunar mining, transportation, and habitation could spark a thriving space economy, transforming the moon into a critical resource for Earth’s future.
Thanks for tuning in! Check out the next video for more insights into space, science, and beyond.
