DPM Chapter 79-Moon Visitors
Translated by Snowfall77
The desert base had transformed over the years, most of the structures half-buried by wind-blown sand and debris. The amber sand engulfing the buildings obscured the sunshine, hiding the tints of dawn, turning the whole area yellowish-gray.
Standing at the gate of base, Dai Rong waited with hundreds of his mutants to welcome the Night Shard.
When the Night Shard and Wu Xingyun reached the gate, the mutants gave a uniform salute, respectful and orderly. For a split second, Wu Xingyun had the illusion that he hadn’t arrived at an Earth base during the last days, but at a newly opened interstellar Federation base.
Dai Rong’s long military career was clearly evident in the regions he controlled.
All his subordinates were mutants, uniformed and movements precise. They stood on either side of the road, bodies ramrod straight, holding their standardized weapons. Guns and bullets had been discarded. Instead, Dai Rong’s armory produced steel knives tempered with the bones of mutated monsters.
Out of the side of his mouth, Mozun noted to Wu Xingyun: “Qinglong is indeed a soldier.”
Wu Xingyun nodded, then his eyes fell on the figure of the former photographer Peng Dawei.
That explained why Mozun did not yet have a close relationship with Peng Dawei—because Peng Dawei was not originally under Mozun’s command.
Against the backdrop of the burnt sand and metal castles, came a large, tall middle-aged man.
From ten years ago, Dai Rong’s appearance had changed a great deal. That general, who’d had little scholarly temperament to begin with, had truly become a lord of blood and iron. A deep scar across his face made him nearly unrecognizable, his features hard to differentiate.
Striding up to them quickly, Dai Rong clasped Mozun’s hand tightly: “Ye Fan, Wu Yun, it’s been too long.”
Mozun gave Dai Rong a hug: “Yes it has, General.”
The three men smiled at each other, then Dai Rong escorted Mozun and Wu Xingyun into the base. They talked over events of the past years, Dai Rong and Mozun asking each other all sorts of questions.
“General,” Mozun inquired, “How’d you get such a scar on your face?”
Distracted for a second, Dai Rong then pointed at the scar: “A mutated jaguar from across the ocean. The beast cut my face open. If it wasn’t for my heightening healing ability, I’d most definitely be dead already. I’m lucky I escaped with only a scar. Ah, Ye Fan, you’re different……not quite like your legend. Wu Yun too, you guys aren’t the same.”
Mozun chuckled: “What isn’t the same?”
“They say you’ve subdued deep ocean killer whales, and that every time there’s a fight, you’re the first to charge. But look at you—not a mark or injury on you.”
Laughing again, Mozun answered: “I don’t get hurt very often, and when I do, I get timely assistance.”
Expression turning pensive, Dai Rong sighed: “I also hear you’ve many ordinary people under you. That population is a hundredfold of what we’ve got. Normal people couldn’t adapt to this harsh environment……They’ve long since died.”
Mozun could only express his sympathies. By the time he’d killed the Wang brothers and established his hold, the ordinary people on Dai Rong’s side had already succumbed.
Being reminded, Mozun couldn’t help slightly turning his head to glance at Wu Xingyun, his heart feeling a pang of gratefulness.
The risks taken back then had proven to be worth it. His loved one still had his life.
After several more minutes of chitchat, they moved onto the crucial business at hand—the Federation people.
Dai Rong had Mozun’s people brought into the base’s liaison room.
The liaison room was what had been the Federation’s former ship hangar. A few mutants were working on various tasks, including those who’d handled the recent communication with the Federation. A large electronic screen sat in the center, a leftover from the base.
After everyone was seated, Dai Rong began telling the whole story of the current Federation situation.
He’d been building communication stations ever since he’d taken over the base, with the goal of contacting other mutants on the Earth, and also, if possible, outer space.
Because no matter what, even if he’d been abandoned, in Dai Rong’s heart, his sentiment for his country and his military brotherhood could not be given up.
And three days ago Dai Rong had suddenly received a signal from outer space. After communication had been established, Dai Rong unexpectedly discovered the signals were actually coming from the moon. Furthermore, the content of the outer space communication was an appeal for assistance.
Needless to say, both Mozun and Wu Xingyun were very surprised at this information. Wu Xingyun asked: “Didn’t they intend to go to Mars originally? Why go no further than the moon?”
Dai Rong flipped over the report in his hands, sighing: “Ever since man first landed on the moon, they started building on a secret base there. More than fifty years have passed, the moon base was already basically completed. Besides, the moon’s fuel, minerals, metal, particularly titanium useful for space travel, are a hundred times richer than the Earth’s. When Noah’s Ark left the Earth and made it through the Saer fog, they discovered that the Moon was in safe condition. The population voted, and the result was they’d provisionally stay on the moon, use the moon’s resources, and build bigger, better spacecraft for long-term space voyages.”
As Dai Rong spoke, he involuntarily lifted his gaze to the sky.
Everyone else raised their heads too. From the launch base atrium, a bright full moon gleamed like a pearl set in the blue sky.
Yet at this distance, who could discern the surprisingly many people living atop it?
Wu Xingyun’s thoughts were relatively untroubled. Mozun, however, was suddenly hit by the absurdity of it all. Staring at the moon blankly, it took him a minute to recover himself before asking: “What happened next?”
Dai Rong continued: “They’ve been researching on the moon ever since, prepping for a longer voyage. Until two years ago, when they observed that the Saer fog down here had finally dispersed. If humanity had adapt to the new environment, they……want to come back.”
Mozun’s brow immediately furrowed: “Come back? What do they mean by that?”
“At first they just filmed the earth from a distance,” Dai Rong said, “Discovering afterwards people were still living on the earth’s surface. So three days ago, they started sending communication signals, and my people here received them. Their idea is, since people are still surviving here and the planet is suitable for habitation again……Well, those that left in Noah’s Ark want to return to Earth.”
The corner of Mozun’s mouth slightly curved, showing a disdainful smile, yet he didn’t speak.
It was Wu Xingyun who inquired: “General Dai, what do you think?”
“It’s not important what I think. They’re not asking for my opinions. Apparently they’re merely giving notice,” Dai Rong said.
Hearing Dai Rong’s words, the other mutants snickered at the idea.
“That’s just fantastic!” Mozun jeered. “Let’s forget how those people discarded us in the first place. Now surely they’re not so naïve as to think their thermal weapons can actually handle the mutant creatures here? Why have they come back? Why do they want to gain a foothold on the Earth again?”
Dai Rong fell silent, not saying a word, and at that moment a communication staff member reported: “Qinglong, the Federation wants to speak with you.”
Dai Rong glanced at Mozun, who nodded. Why shouldn’t they see what the Federation wanted?
The communication staff member immediately started adjusting the signal. Ten minutes later, a middle-aged man appeared on the base’s big electronic screen.
Looking to be in his forties, the man introduced himself as Nie Feisi, a Federation Foreign Affairs officer.
In the bottom right corner of the screen, the other end of conversation window was displayed, showing Dai Rong, Mozun, Wu Xingyun and the others.
Nie Feisi noticed that Dai Rong apparently had young people around him, but couldn’t be bothered to care. He was simply following the Federation’s decision to communicate with Dai Rong.
“Qinglong, hello. I’ve been chosen to communicate with you on behalf of the Federation. I’m very happy we can have dialogue again.” Nie Feisi spouted.
Dai Rong threw a quick look at Mozun, then nodded at the screen: “Hello. What can I do for you?”
“We intended to land in the central plains of Asia,” Nie Feisi informed Dai Rong. “However, we found there were great deal of mutated monsters in that area, including aquatic animals that have gained the ability to come ashore. After evaluating, we determined the proposed landing site wasn’t yet suitable. Therefore, could you help us dispose of the monsters? The Federation will thank you and remember your contribution in the future.”
The Federation was talking about land under Mozun’s control. Not having the authority to intervene, Dai Rong didn’t repsond to Nie Feisi.
Mozun had been leaning back in his chair, hands in his pants pockets. Now he pulled them both out to clasp his chest, walking up to the camera to ask: “Help you? What’s the remuneration?”
“Remuneration?” Taken aback, the Federal man paused for a moment before saying: “We’re all humans, shouldn’t we assist each other? Our return will bring back a great deal of advanced science and technology. We’ll boost the Earth’s environment. Isn’t helping improve your lives reward enough……”
But Nie Feisi couldn’t finish his words before Mozun broke in.
“We who remained down here, our lives are already very good,” Mozun’s voice was devoid of emotion, except for a hint of impatience, “No Federation help is needed. Moreover……I don’t trust you. Let’s not forget how the earth’s former so-called elite abandoned everyone in their rush to escape. You made your choice. Follow it to the end.”
Nie Feisi couldn’t completely disguise his displeased expression, but tried to restrain himself, asking: “Excuse me, may I ask who you are? I was speaking to your leader Qinglong. You interrupting a high-level conversation is impolite.”
Mozun laughed scornfully: “Have you been away from the Earth too long? Have you forgotten how to conduct yourselves with intergrity? The truth is, yes, the Earth is suitable for human life now. But only for those who’ve already mutated. Not for those who ran away. If you’re so bent on coming back, the least you could do is show some sincerity. Why didn’t you send down some grand official to have a nice chat with us? The Earth you knew is long gone. And we too are no longer the same!”
" "Staring at the screen, Nie Feisi instinctually felt that the young man speaking, no matter how discourteous, could not be taken lightly.
So Nie Feisi asked again: “In that case, what is your name? And……what is your relationship with Qinglong?”
With a small smile, Mozun replied: “Qinglong is my friend. As for my name……I’m called the Night Shard.”
It was the first time the Federation heard that name, and they didn’t attach much importance to it. But over the next two thousand years, they’d come to think of it as their name for him. Their nightmare that made them tremble in the dark.
(TN-I don’t think there’s a secret base on the moon, -though that would be cool-and what the author wrote about the moon’s resources is conjecture/imaginative.)
Small quantities of helium-3 previously discovered on Earth intrigued the scientific community. The unique atomic structure of helium-3 promised to make it possible to use it as fuel for nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun, to generate vast amounts of electrical power without creating the troublesome radioactive byproducts produced in conventional nuclear reactors. Extracting helium-3 from the moon and returning it to Earth would, of course, be difficult, but the potential rewards would be staggering for those who embarked upon this venture. Helium-3 could help free the United States–and the world–from dependence on fossil fuels.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a235/1283056/
The soil of the moon has some similarities to that of Earth. However, there is one major characteristic that causes it to be quite different. The lack of living matter on the Moon causes the soil to lack organic compounds. This leaves a more basic set of elements that the Moon is made up of – mainly oxygen, magnesium, silicon, iron, aluminum, and calcium.
Resources like this are commonly found on the Earth. This means that the value of mining on the Moon is potentially not very worthwhile. The costs associated with trying to undertake a mineral mining expedition – especially the high costs associated with traveling through space – make the prospects of mining on the Moon pretty unappealing. However, even though scientists have largely determined the makeup of the surface soil on the Moon, the contents of its inner core are still a mystery. It is only because of this that there still is a possibility of valuable mineral resources on the moon and that mining may in fact be worthwhile despite the high potential costs.
What Mineral Resources Can Be Found on the Moon?
Given all the mineral mischief here on Earth, the moon could become a wellspring of essential resources – but at what quality, quantity and outlay to extract?
Providing a lunar look-see is Carle Pieters, an NLSI team member and leading planetary scientist in the Department of Geological Sciences at Brown University in Providence, R.I.
“Yes, we know there are local concentrations of REE on the moon,” Pieters said, referring to rare earth elements by their acronym REE. “We also know from the returned samples that we have not sampled these REE concentrations directly, but can readily detect them along a mixing line with many of the samples we do have.”
" "Pieters is also principal investigator for NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper, known as M3, which was carried on India’s Chandrayaan-1 lunar-orbiting spacecraft. That probe was lofted by the Indian Space Research Organization in October 2008 and operated around the moon until late August 2009.
Among other findings, the M3 gear found a whole new range of processes for mineral concentrations on the moon – unappreciated until now.
For example, the M3 experiment detected a new lunar rock – a unique mixture of plain-old plagioclase – plentiful in the Earth’s crust and the moon’s highlands – and pink spinel, an especially beautiful arrangement of magnesium, aluminum and oxygen that, in its purest forms, is prized as a gemstone here on Earth.
What about the whereabouts of precious elements sitting there on our celestial neighbor in gravitational lock?
Pieters said lunar scientists have a good idea how lunar rare earth elements became concentrated – it occurred as part of the moon’s magma ocean differentiation sequence. But it is now also recognized that “early events disrupted and substantially reorganized that process in ways we are still trying to decipher,” she added.
With the recent, but limited, new data for the moon from the international fleet of lunar orbiters with remote sensing instruments – from Japan, China, India and now the United States, “we are beginning to see direct evidence for the activity of geologic processes that separate and concentrate different minerals,” Pieters said.
On the moon, these areas and outcrops are local and small. Exposure is largely dependent on using impact craters as probes to the interior.
Current data are only sufficient to indicate the presence of some concentrations of minerals, but are inadequate to survey and map their character and distribution, Pieters observed.
https://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/is-mining-rare-minerals-on-the-moon-vital-to-national-security/
DPM Chapter 79-Moon Visitors
Translated by Snowfall77
The desert base had transformed over the years, most of the structures half-buried by wind-blown sand and debris. The amber sand engulfing the buildings obscured the sunshine, hiding the tints of dawn, turning the whole area yellowish-gray.
Standing at the gate of base, Dai Rong waited with hundreds of his mutants to welcome the Night Shard.
When the Night Shard and Wu Xingyun reached the gate, the mutants gave a uniform salute, respectful and orderly. For a split second, Wu Xingyun had the illusion that he hadn’t arrived at an Earth base during the last days, but at a newly opened interstellar Federation base.
Dai Rong’s long military career was clearly evident in the regions he controlled.
All his subordinates were mutants, uniformed and movements precise. They stood on either side of the road, bodies ramrod straight, holding their standardized weapons. Guns and bullets had been discarded. Instead, Dai Rong’s armory produced steel knives tempered with the bones of mutated monsters.
Out of the side of his mouth, Mozun noted to Wu Xingyun: “Qinglong is indeed a soldier.”
Wu Xingyun nodded, then his eyes fell on the figure of the former photographer Peng Dawei.
That explained why Mozun did not yet have a close relationship with Peng Dawei—because Peng Dawei was not originally under Mozun’s command.
Against the backdrop of the burnt sand and metal castles, came a large, tall middle-aged man.
From ten years ago, Dai Rong’s appearance had changed a great deal. That general, who’d had little scholarly temperament to begin with, had truly become a lord of blood and iron. A deep scar across his face made him nearly unrecognizable, his features hard to differentiate.
Striding up to them quickly, Dai Rong clasped Mozun’s hand tightly: “Ye Fan, Wu Yun, it’s been too long.”
Mozun gave Dai Rong a hug: “Yes it has, General.”
The three men smiled at each other, then Dai Rong escorted Mozun and Wu Xingyun into the base. They talked over events of the past years, Dai Rong and Mozun asking each other all sorts of questions.
“General,” Mozun inquired, “How’d you get such a scar on your face?”
Distracted for a second, Dai Rong then pointed at the scar: “A mutated jaguar from across the ocean. The beast cut my face open. If it wasn’t for my heightening healing ability, I’d most definitely be dead already. I’m lucky I escaped with only a scar. Ah, Ye Fan, you’re different……not quite like your legend. Wu Yun too, you guys aren’t the same.”
Mozun chuckled: “What isn’t the same?”
“They say you’ve subdued deep ocean killer whales, and that every time there’s a fight, you’re the first to charge. But look at you—not a mark or injury on you.”
Laughing again, Mozun answered: “I don’t get hurt very often, and when I do, I get timely assistance.”
Expression turning pensive, Dai Rong sighed: “I also hear you’ve many ordinary people under you. That population is a hundredfold of what we’ve got. Normal people couldn’t adapt to this harsh environment……They’ve long since died.”
Mozun could only express his sympathies. By the time he’d killed the Wang brothers and established his hold, the ordinary people on Dai Rong’s side had already succumbed.
Being reminded, Mozun couldn’t help slightly turning his head to glance at Wu Xingyun, his heart feeling a pang of gratefulness.
The risks taken back then had proven to be worth it. His loved one still had his life.
After several more minutes of chitchat, they moved onto the crucial business at hand—the Federation people.
Dai Rong had Mozun’s people brought into the base’s liaison room.
The liaison room was what had been the Federation’s former ship hangar. A few mutants were working on various tasks, including those who’d handled the recent communication with the Federation. A large electronic screen sat in the center, a leftover from the base.
After everyone was seated, Dai Rong began telling the whole story of the current Federation situation.
He’d been building communication stations ever since he’d taken over the base, with the goal of contacting other mutants on the Earth, and also, if possible, outer space.
Because no matter what, even if he’d been abandoned, in Dai Rong’s heart, his sentiment for his country and his military brotherhood could not be given up.
And three days ago Dai Rong had suddenly received a signal from outer space. After communication had been established, Dai Rong unexpectedly discovered the signals were actually coming from the moon. Furthermore, the content of the outer space communication was an appeal for assistance.
Needless to say, both Mozun and Wu Xingyun were very surprised at this information. Wu Xingyun asked: “Didn’t they intend to go to Mars originally? Why go no further than the moon?”
Dai Rong flipped over the report in his hands, sighing: “Ever since man first landed on the moon, they started building on a secret base there. More than fifty years have passed, the moon base was already basically completed. Besides, the moon’s fuel, minerals, metal, particularly titanium useful for space travel, are a hundred times richer than the Earth’s. When Noah’s Ark left the Earth and made it through the Saer fog, they discovered that the Moon was in safe condition. The population voted, and the result was they’d provisionally stay on the moon, use the moon’s resources, and build bigger, better spacecraft for long-term space voyages.”
As Dai Rong spoke, he involuntarily lifted his gaze to the sky.
Everyone else raised their heads too. From the launch base atrium, a bright full moon gleamed like a pearl set in the blue sky.
Yet at this distance, who could discern the surprisingly many people living atop it?
Wu Xingyun’s thoughts were relatively untroubled. Mozun, however, was suddenly hit by the absurdity of it all. Staring at the moon blankly, it took him a minute to recover himself before asking: “What happened next?”
Dai Rong continued: “They’ve been researching on the moon ever since, prepping for a longer voyage. Until two years ago, when they observed that the Saer fog down here had finally dispersed. If humanity had adapt to the new environment, they……want to come back.”
Mozun’s brow immediately furrowed: “Come back? What do they mean by that?”
“At first they just filmed the earth from a distance,” Dai Rong said, “Discovering afterwards people were still living on the earth’s surface. So three days ago, they started sending communication signals, and my people here received them. Their idea is, since people are still surviving here and the planet is suitable for habitation again……Well, those that left in Noah’s Ark want to return to Earth.”
The corner of Mozun’s mouth slightly curved, showing a disdainful smile, yet he didn’t speak.
It was Wu Xingyun who inquired: “General Dai, what do you think?”
“It’s not important what I think. They’re not asking for my opinions. Apparently they’re merely giving notice,” Dai Rong said.
Hearing Dai Rong’s words, the other mutants snickered at the idea.
“That’s just fantastic!” Mozun jeered. “Let’s forget how those people discarded us in the first place. Now surely they’re not so naïve as to think their thermal weapons can actually handle the mutant creatures here? Why have they come back? Why do they want to gain a foothold on the Earth again?”
Dai Rong fell silent, not saying a word, and at that moment a communication staff member reported: “Qinglong, the Federation wants to speak with you.”
Dai Rong glanced at Mozun, who nodded. Why shouldn’t they see what the Federation wanted?
The communication staff member immediately started adjusting the signal. Ten minutes later, a middle-aged man appeared on the base’s big electronic screen.
Looking to be in his forties, the man introduced himself as Nie Feisi, a Federation Foreign Affairs officer.
In the bottom right corner of the screen, the other end of conversation window was displayed, showing Dai Rong, Mozun, Wu Xingyun and the others.
Nie Feisi noticed that Dai Rong apparently had young people around him, but couldn’t be bothered to care. He was simply following the Federation’s decision to communicate with Dai Rong.
“Qinglong, hello. I’ve been chosen to communicate with you on behalf of the Federation. I’m very happy we can have dialogue again.” Nie Feisi spouted.
Dai Rong threw a quick look at Mozun, then nodded at the screen: “Hello. What can I do for you?”
“We intended to land in the central plains of Asia,” Nie Feisi informed Dai Rong. “However, we found there were great deal of mutated monsters in that area, including aquatic animals that have gained the ability to come ashore. After evaluating, we determined the proposed landing site wasn’t yet suitable. Therefore, could you help us dispose of the monsters? The Federation will thank you and remember your contribution in the future.”
The Federation was talking about land under Mozun’s control. Not having the authority to intervene, Dai Rong didn’t repsond to Nie Feisi.
Mozun had been leaning back in his chair, hands in his pants pockets. Now he pulled them both out to clasp his chest, walking up to the camera to ask: “Help you? What’s the remuneration?”
“Remuneration?” Taken aback, the Federal man paused for a moment before saying: “We’re all humans, shouldn’t we assist each other? Our return will bring back a great deal of advanced science and technology. We’ll boost the Earth’s environment. Isn’t helping improve your lives reward enough……”
But Nie Feisi couldn’t finish his words before Mozun broke in.
“We who remained down here, our lives are already very good,” Mozun’s voice was devoid of emotion, except for a hint of impatience, “No Federation help is needed. Moreover……I don’t trust you. Let’s not forget how the earth’s former so-called elite abandoned everyone in their rush to escape. You made your choice. Follow it to the end.”
Nie Feisi couldn’t completely disguise his displeased expression, but tried to restrain himself, asking: “Excuse me, may I ask who you are? I was speaking to your leader Qinglong. You interrupting a high-level conversation is impolite.”
Mozun laughed scornfully: “Have you been away from the Earth too long? Have you forgotten how to conduct yourselves with intergrity? The truth is, yes, the Earth is suitable for human life now. But only for those who’ve already mutated. Not for those who ran away. If you’re so bent on coming back, the least you could do is show some sincerity. Why didn’t you send down some grand official to have a nice chat with us? The Earth you knew is long gone. And we too are no longer the same!”
" "Staring at the screen, Nie Feisi instinctually felt that the young man speaking, no matter how discourteous, could not be taken lightly.
So Nie Feisi asked again: “In that case, what is your name? And……what is your relationship with Qinglong?”
With a small smile, Mozun replied: “Qinglong is my friend. As for my name……I’m called the Night Shard.”
It was the first time the Federation heard that name, and they didn’t attach much importance to it. But over the next two thousand years, they’d come to think of it as their name for him. Their nightmare that made them tremble in the dark.
(TN-I don’t think there’s a secret base on the moon, -though that would be cool-and what the author wrote about the moon’s resources is conjecture/imaginative.)
Small quantities of helium-3 previously discovered on Earth intrigued the scientific community. The unique atomic structure of helium-3 promised to make it possible to use it as fuel for nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun, to generate vast amounts of electrical power without creating the troublesome radioactive byproducts produced in conventional nuclear reactors. Extracting helium-3 from the moon and returning it to Earth would, of course, be difficult, but the potential rewards would be staggering for those who embarked upon this venture. Helium-3 could help free the United States–and the world–from dependence on fossil fuels.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a235/1283056/
The soil of the moon has some similarities to that of Earth. However, there is one major characteristic that causes it to be quite different. The lack of living matter on the Moon causes the soil to lack organic compounds. This leaves a more basic set of elements that the Moon is made up of – mainly oxygen, magnesium, silicon, iron, aluminum, and calcium.
Resources like this are commonly found on the Earth. This means that the value of mining on the Moon is potentially not very worthwhile. The costs associated with trying to undertake a mineral mining expedition – especially the high costs associated with traveling through space – make the prospects of mining on the Moon pretty unappealing. However, even though scientists have largely determined the makeup of the surface soil on the Moon, the contents of its inner core are still a mystery. It is only because of this that there still is a possibility of valuable mineral resources on the moon and that mining may in fact be worthwhile despite the high potential costs.
What Mineral Resources Can Be Found on the Moon?
Given all the mineral mischief here on Earth, the moon could become a wellspring of essential resources – but at what quality, quantity and outlay to extract?
Providing a lunar look-see is Carle Pieters, an NLSI team member and leading planetary scientist in the Department of Geological Sciences at Brown University in Providence, R.I.
“Yes, we know there are local concentrations of REE on the moon,” Pieters said, referring to rare earth elements by their acronym REE. “We also know from the returned samples that we have not sampled these REE concentrations directly, but can readily detect them along a mixing line with many of the samples we do have.”
" "Pieters is also principal investigator for NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper, known as M3, which was carried on India’s Chandrayaan-1 lunar-orbiting spacecraft. That probe was lofted by the Indian Space Research Organization in October 2008 and operated around the moon until late August 2009.
Among other findings, the M3 gear found a whole new range of processes for mineral concentrations on the moon – unappreciated until now.
For example, the M3 experiment detected a new lunar rock – a unique mixture of plain-old plagioclase – plentiful in the Earth’s crust and the moon’s highlands – and pink spinel, an especially beautiful arrangement of magnesium, aluminum and oxygen that, in its purest forms, is prized as a gemstone here on Earth.
What about the whereabouts of precious elements sitting there on our celestial neighbor in gravitational lock?
Pieters said lunar scientists have a good idea how lunar rare earth elements became concentrated – it occurred as part of the moon’s magma ocean differentiation sequence. But it is now also recognized that “early events disrupted and substantially reorganized that process in ways we are still trying to decipher,” she added.
With the recent, but limited, new data for the moon from the international fleet of lunar orbiters with remote sensing instruments – from Japan, China, India and now the United States, “we are beginning to see direct evidence for the activity of geologic processes that separate and concentrate different minerals,” Pieters said.
On the moon, these areas and outcrops are local and small. Exposure is largely dependent on using impact craters as probes to the interior.
Current data are only sufficient to indicate the presence of some concentrations of minerals, but are inadequate to survey and map their character and distribution, Pieters observed.
https://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/is-mining-rare-minerals-on-the-moon-vital-to-national-security/
