Chinese scientists discovered a new mineral on the moon. It’s called Changesite, it could potentially be a source of energy and that is why China just approved three unmanned moon missions in the next 10 years.

Changesite is a phosphate mineral in columnar crystal. The sample Chinese scientists found was very small, about one-tenth the diameter of a human hair.

The South China Morning Post reported the new mineral was discovered in what was once a highly volcanic region on the moon. The samples were taken by the Chang’e 5 mission and brought to Earth in December of 2020.

China is now the third nation to discover a new mineral on the moon, following the United States and Russia. Chagesite is the sixth mineral discovered by humans on the moon. China’s Atomic Energy Authority said the discovery provides more scientific data for the evaluation and development of lunar resources.

The Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association confirmed the finding. CNNC said for the first time, a concentration of a future fusion energy source was measured in lunar materials.

The U.S. is currently locked in a second space race with China and Russia, and the discovery of the mineral could force the U.S. to fast-track its own efforts to return to the moon.

China’s National Space Administration has the green light to send three Chang’e lunar orbiters in the next 10 years. These are in addition to China’s plans to send a manned-mission to the moon by the end of the decade.