China puts off Chang’e-7 mission to lunar south pole

AdvertisementScienceChinaScienceBreakingChina puts off Chang’e-7 mission to lunar south poleHistoric mission to drill for ice was set to lift off as early as Monday 1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenVictoria BelaPublished: 8:26pm, 23 Aug 2026Updated: 8:26pm, 23 Aug 2026China’s historic Chang’e-7 mission to drill for ice near the moon’s south pole has been delayed, the country’s human space flight programme authority said on Sunday. The Chang’e-7 – carrying an orbiter, a lander, rover and hopper – was set to lift off aboard a Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang spaceport in southern China as early as Monday. The China Manned Space Agency said the mission would be postponed following a comprehensive assessment to adhere to principles of safety and reliability. “The Chang’e-7 mission does not meet the launch conditions and cannot be carried out within the scheduled launch window this year,” state news agency Xinhua reported, citing the agency. More to follow ... AdvertisementAdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x