Chang'e-7 Lunar South Pole Mission to Launch This Year
Summary: On April 24, 2026, the 11th China Space Day, CNSA announced that Chang'e-7 will launch in 2026 to conduct lunar south pole exploration, searching for water ice resources.
Credit: CNSA
On April 24, 2026, at the main venue ceremony for the 11th China Space Day in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced: Chang'e-7 will launch in 2026 to conduct lunar south pole exploration missions.
Primary Mission Objectives
Chang'e-7 is a core component of China's Lunar Exploration Program Phase IV. Its primary scientific objectives include:
- Water Ice Resource Detection at Lunar South Pole: Detailed survey of permanent shadow regions at the lunar south pole for potential water ice resources
- Lunar Surface Material Composition Analysis: Systematic analysis of polar regolith and rocks
- Lunar South Pole Environment Monitoring: Measurement of key parameters such as temperature distribution and radiation environment
- High-Precision Topographic Mapping: Acquisition of high-resolution three-dimensional terrain data of the lunar polar regions
Technical Features
According to Feng Shaowei, rocket expert from China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, Chang'e-7 will be launched aboard a Long March 5B carrier rocket. The Chang'e-7 probe will carry multiple scientific payloads, including:
- Lunar Mineral Spectrometer
- Lunar Water Ice Detector
- Lunar Polar Environment Monitor
- High-Resolution Stereo Camera
Lunar Exploration Phase IV Plan
Chang'e-7 is the second step of the Lunar Exploration Phase IV program:
| Mission | Objective | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chang'e-6 | Lunar far side sample return | ✅ Completed |
| Chang'e-7 | Lunar South Pole Exploration | Upcoming Launch |
| Chang'e-8 | In-situ resource utilization technology demonstration | Planned |
Scientific Significance
The lunar south pole is considered one of the best regions for future lunar base construction, with potential large deposits of water ice in permanent shadow areas that could provide critical life-support resources for long-term lunar presence. Chang'e-7's detailed surveys will provide important scientific basis for subsequent lunar base construction.
Additionally, the Chang'e-7 mission will feature international cooperation, carrying multiple international payloads, demonstrating China's consistent approach of open collaboration in space exploration.
Background: 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of China's space industry and the 11th China Space Day. This year's theme is "70 Years of Journey to Space, Exploring the Heavens Together."