China Prepares Chang’e-7 Mission to Search for Lunar Resources

China’s Chang’e-7 lunar spacecraft has arrived at its launch site, marking a critical step toward a mission designed to search for water ice at the lunar south pole. The mission, which is scheduled for launch in August 2026, represents the most sophisticated robotic lunar effort by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) to date.

The primary objective of Chang’e-7 is the direct search for water ice and other volatiles within the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions. These areas, which have not seen sunlight for potentially billions of years, are among the coldest and darkest locations in the Solar System. Identifying these resources is essential for assessing the potential for in-situ resource utilization to support a sustained human presence on the Moon.

Mission Architecture and Technical Specifications

The Chang’e-7 spacecraft has a total launch mass of 8,200 kilograms and will be launched atop a Long March 5 vehicle from Launch Complex 101 at the Wenchang Space Launch Site. To enable the delivery of more scientific and exploration hardware, the hardware previously used for ascent into lunar orbit and returning samples to Earth—features present in the Chang’e 5 and 6 missions—has been removed.

The mission utilizes a complex, multi-element architecture consisting of:

• An orbiter to study the Moon’s poles and examine potential landing sites.
• A lander to facilitate the surface operation.
• A lunar rover for exploration.
• A mini-hopping probe, described as a novel lunar scout propelled by rocket propulsion, designed to explore regions inaccessible to rovers.

Operational support for the mission will be provided by the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, which is already in lunar orbit.

Target Landing Sites and Scientific Goals

The mission targets the lunar south pole, a strategically important region. The preferred landing site is a permanently illuminated peak located next to the Shackleton crater at 88.8 degrees South and 123.4 degrees East. China has also identified backup sites in the same vicinity, as well as other areas of interest near the Haworth and Shoemaker craters, which are also constantly illuminated.

Beyond the search for water ice, the scientific objectives of Chang’e-7 include mapping resources near the south pole, studying surface processes, and determining the lunar impact history. These activities are intended to provide new insights into the evolution of the Moon and the wider Solar System.

Strategic Context of the Lunar Program

Chang’e-7 is the first mission in the fourth phase of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. This program has advanced through incremental technological stages: orbiting the Moon (Chang’e 1 and 2), landing and roving (Chang’e 3 and 4), and collecting and returning samples (Chang’e 5 and 6).

The current phase focuses on the development of a robotic research station near the lunar south pole. This infrastructure is intended to facilitate a crewed lunar landing in the 2030s and the possible construction of a lunar outpost. The ultimate goal of this phase is the establishment of the International Lunar Research Station.

The mission is planned to operate for approximately eight years, with over a dozen Chinese and international instruments working on and around the Moon during this period.