China lunar water ice exploration mission
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China postpones Chang'e-7 lunar mission launch
The Manned Space Agency stated the Chang'e-7 mission does not meet launch conditions.
The decision to postpone was made following a "comprehensive assessment," according to the space agency.
The Chang'e-7 mission was set to explore permanently shadowed craters on the moon and conduct environmental and resource surveys of the lunar south pole, according to Xinhua.
China postpones water-hunting moon mission
Chinese state media said the lunar probe does not meet launch conditions and the assessment was conducted following principles of prudence, reliability, and absolute mission success.
The China Manned Space Engineering Office stated the launch "cannot take place during the planned window this year."
Wiphu Rujopakarn, executive director of NARIT, said the mission is now expected to take place next year, potentially during one of two windows in spring or mid-summer.
Overview of China's Lunar Mission Objectives Regarding Moon Ice
The Chang'e-7 lander is set to touch down near the edge of Shackleton Crater.
India's Chandrayaan-3 landed successfully on the moon in August 2023.
Russia's Luna-25 lunar spacecraft spun out of control and crashed in 2023.
China prepares lunar mission targeting water ice reserves
The Chang'e-7 lander will touch down near the edge of the Shackleton Crater, a 21km-wide pit close to the moon's south pole.
China is set to launch its Chang'e-7 unmanned, robotic space mission to look for ice water in the permanently shadowed craters of the moon's south pole.
In October 2020, NASA scientists announced that water on the moon is more widespread than previously known.