Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleChina's space programme is preparing to launch its Chang'e-7 mission to explore permanently shadowed craters near the lunar South Pole to locate and analyse accessible water ice. The mission features an orbiter, a lander, a rover, and an innovative hopper vehicle designed to leap over broken terrain and descend into deep craters where temperatures drop below minus 200 degrees Celsius. Communication between Earth and the spacecraft will be maintained via the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, which was launched in March 2024 and previously supported the Chang'e-6 mission. China's state-led approach to lunar resource evaluation contrasts with NASA's strategy, which utilises private commercial partners through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme to support the Artemis initiative. The Chang'e-7 mission marks a key step towards utilising lunar resources, setting the stage for the Chang'e-8 mission in 2028 and the joint development of an International Lunar Research Station with Russia. In fullChina to launch a Moon mission that is unlike anything NASA has doneMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
What is China’s moon mission and why is it so interesting?
Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleChina's space programme is preparing to launch its Chang'e-7 mission to explore permanently shadowed craters near the lunar South Pole to locate and analyse accessible water ice. The mission features an orbiter, a lander, a rover, and an innovative hopper vehicle designed to leap over broken terrain and descend into deep craters where temperatures drop below minus 200 degrees Celsius. Communication between Earth and the spacecraft will be maintained via the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, which was launched in March 2024 and previously supported the Chang'e-6 mission. China's state-led approach to lunar resource evaluation contrasts with NASA's strategy, which utilises private commercial partners through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme to support the Artemis initiative. The Chang'e-7 mission marks a key step towards utilising lunar resources, setting the stage for the Chang'e-8 mission in 2028 and the joint development of an International Lunar Research Station with Russia. In fullChina to launch a Moon mission that is unlike anything NASA has doneMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
