Change-7 Scheduled for Q3 Launch, Focusing on Lunar South Pole Water Ice Detection
Summary: Chinas lunar exploration project is progressing steadily. The Change-7 probe, scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2026, will land near the Shackleton crater to conduct refined detection of south polar water ice and the polar environment.
According to the China National Space Administration and related agencies, the Change-7 mission is a key step in the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program and is scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2026. The probe's primary scientific objective is to travel to the lunar south pole region to conduct detailed surveys of the distribution, abundance, and occurrence status of water ice within permanently shadowed craters. The probe will carry a suite of advanced scientific instruments, including radar, spectrometers, and a neutral atom detector.
The designated landing zone for Change-7 is near the Shackleton crater at the lunar south pole. This area, which is in permanent shadow and extremely cold, is considered one of the most likely locations on the Moon to preserve water ice. The mission will perform refined detection of the lunar regolith, rocks, and the polar environment using a combination of in-situ and remote sensing methods, providing critical data for future site selection and resource utilization for a lunar research station.
This mission represents another significant lunar exploration endeavor by China following the successful sample-return missions of Change-5 and Change-6. Together with the subsequent Change-8 mission, it will form a core component of the basic configuration of the International Lunar Research Station, advancing lunar and deep space exploration for both China and the global community.