A stacked composite photo taken on Nov. 4, 2025 in Changping District of China's capital Beijing shows the Chinese space station passing in front of the Moon. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
China's Chang'e-7 lunar probe is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2026, the China Manned Space Agency said Friday.
The probe for the Chang'e-7 mission has been transported to the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, with pre-launch tests set to be carried out as scheduled.
Currently, the facilities at the launch site are in good condition and all preparatory work is progressing as planned, the agency said.
The Chang'e-7 mission aims to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies on the lunar surface, such as high-precision soft landing, legged movements, hopping, and exploration of permanently shadowed craters.
It will adopt a comprehensive detection approach, which involves orbiting, landing, roving and hopping, to carry out environmental and resource surveys of the lunar south pole.
This image taken from video animation at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on June 2, 2024 shows the lander-ascender combination of Chang'e-6 probe landing on the far side of the moon. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
International cooperation will also be included in the mission.
The agency added that China will deeply integrate its resources and capabilities in its current crewed lunar landing and unmanned lunar exploration programs, to enhance the comprehensive effectiveness of the country's moon endeavors.
