Chang'e 7
Chinese lunar south pole mission with orbiter, lander, rover, and hopping probe.
Chang'e 7 is a planned robotic Chinese lunar exploration mission targeting the lunar south pole, with a launch expected in 2026 or 2027. Named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e, the mission will include an orbiter, a lander, a mini-hopping probe, and a rover, launched on a Long March 5 rocket.
Quick Facts
- Operator
- CNSA
- Manufacturer
- CAST
- Launch mass
- 8,200 kg / 18,078 lb
- Launched
- 2027 (planned)
- Launch rocket
- Long March 5
- Launch site
- Wenchang
- Programme
- Chinese Lunar Exploration Program
Facts from the source article.
Overview
The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program advanced through four phases: reaching lunar orbit (Chang'e 1 and 2), landing and roving (Chang'e 3 and 4), collecting and returning samples (Chang'e 5 and 6), and the fourth phase beginning with Chang'e 7. This phase includes development of a robotic research station near the Moon's south pole, aiming to support a crewed lunar landing in the 2030s and possibly an outpost there. Chang'e 7 carries a novel lunar scout propelled by rocket propulsion, enabling exploration of regions inaccessible to rovers. The scout is solar-powered and equipped with cameras and a scientific instrument for analyzing the lunar environment. The mission plans to land on the illuminated rim of Shackleton crater near the south pole, searching for water ice and evaluating the site for a future research base. The spacecraft arrived at Wenchang Space Launch Site in April 2026 and was rolled out to the launchpad on 19 August 2026, mated to Long March 5 Y14. However, due to poor weather from Typhoon Narra, the China Manned Space Program delayed the launch until 2027.
Scientific objectives
The official scientific objectives of Chang'e 7 include investigation of the lunar surface environment and water ice in its soil; high-precision study of lunar morphology, composition, and structure; investigation of the Moon's interior structure, magnetic field, and thermal characteristics; general study of the surface environment at the south pole; and Moon-based observation of Earth's magnetotail and plasmasphere.
Scientific payloads
Chang'e 7 carries 21 scientific payloads, six of which are international. The lunar orbiter hosts a High Resolution Stereo Mapping Camera (resolution better than 0.5 m at 100 km altitude and better than 0.075 m at 15 km), a Miniature Synthetic Aperture Radar (resolution better than 0.3 m), a Wide Band Infrared Spectrum Mineral Imaging Analyzer, a Lunar Neutron Gamma Spectrometer, a Lunar Orbit Magnetometer, a Lunar Surface Material Hyperspectral Imager (jointly developed by Egypt and Bahrain), a Moon-based Dual-channel Earth Radiation Spectrometer, and a Space Weather Global Monitoring Sensor Device (developed by Thailand). The lander carries a Landing Camera, Topography Camera, Lunar Surface Environment Detection System (including electric field, low-energy ion, low-energy electron, intermediate/high energy particle, and dust probes), a Lunar Seismograph, a Laser Corner Reflector Array (developed by Italy), a Lunar Dust and Electric Field Probe (developed by Russia), and a Moon-based Astronomical Observation Telescope (developed by the International Lunar Observatory Association). The rover includes a Panoramic Camera, Rover Magnetometer, Lunar Penetrating Radar, Lunar Raman Spectrometer, and an In-situ Measuring System of Volatiles and Isotopes on Lunar Surface. The mini-hopping probe carries a Water Molecule and Hydrogen Isotope Analyzer.
Launch
The probe is planned to launch on a Long March 5 rocket from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island. The original launch was scheduled between August 23 and 24, 2026, but has been indefinitely delayed. The China Manned Space Agency stated that the Chang'e-7 lunar probe does not meet launch conditions and cannot launch during the planned window that year, following a principle of prudence, reliability, and absolute mission success. As of August 23, 2026, no updated launch date had been announced. The delay may have been affected by Tropical Storm Narra near the launch site.
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