Chang'e 7 (Chinese: 嫦娥七号; pinyin: Cháng'é qīhào) is a planned robotic Chinese lunar exploration mission expected to be launched in 2026 to target the lunar south pole. Like its predecessors, the spacecraft is named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e. The mission will include an orbiter, a lander, a mini-hopping probe, and a rover.[5]
Mission type | Orbiter, Lander, lunar rover, hoping probe[1] |
---|---|
Operator | CNSA |
Mission duration | 8 years (planned)[2] |
Spacecraft properties | |
Manufacturer | CAST |
Launch mass | 8,200 kg (18,100 lb)[2] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 2026 (planned)[3] |
Rocket | Long March 5 |
Launch site | Wenchang |
Moon lander | |
Landing site | Peak near the southeast ridge of Shackleton crater 88°48′S 123°24′E / 88.8°S 123.4°E[4] |
The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program is designed to be conducted in four[6] phases of incremental technological advancement: The first is simply reaching lunar orbit, a task completed by Chang'e 1 in 2007 and Chang'e 2 in 2010. The second is landing and roving on the Moon, as Chang'e 3 did in 2013 and Chang'e 4 did in 2019 (The rover still being active as of 2023). The third is collecting lunar samples from the near-side and sending them to Earth, a task accomplished by Chang'e 5 in 2020 and to be met by the future Chang'e 6 mission. The fourth phase consists of development of a robotic research station near the Moon's south pole.[6][7][8] The program aims to facilitate a crewed lunar landing in the 2030s and possibly build an outpost near the lunar south pole.[9]
The official scientific objectives of Chang'e 7 mission are:[10]
Chang'e-7 will carry a total of 15 scientific payloads, aiming to conduct detailed exploration of the environment and resources in the south polar region of the moon. Mission objectives include fixed-point landings. In situ observations of the permanently shadowed crater will be made by the mini-hopping probe, which will carry water molecule and hydrogen isotope analyzers.[2][11][12]
Lunar Orbiter
Lunar Lander
Lunar Rover
Mini-Hopping Probe
The probe will be launched by a Long March 5 rocket in 2026, from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island.[3]
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