China sets sights on Lunar South Pole with Chang'e 7 Mission

China sets sights on Lunar South Pole with Chang'e 7 Mission
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 24, 2024

China has unveiled detailed plans for the Chang'e 7 mission, aimed at probing the moon's south pole, particularly focusing on water ice. This revelation, detailed in a paper in the National Science Review, outlines the mission's scientific goals and the sophisticated array of payloads aboard the lunar probe.

Slated for launch around 2026, the Chang'e 7 mission represents a new chapter in China's lunar exploration endeavors. The mission's objectives extend beyond mere surface exploration. As highlighted in the paper by researchers from the National Space Science Center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, Chang'e 7 will delve into the lunar morphology and composition, the moon's internal structure and magnetic fields, and the landscape of the lunar south pole. Additionally, it aims to analyze the Earth's magnetotail and plasma layer and engage in a Lunar-Earth Very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) measurement experiment.

Advanced Payloads for Comprehensive Analysis
The Chang'e 7 mission's detection platforms will be equipped with a total of 18 payloads, showcasing China's commitment to advanced lunar research. Notably, payloads such as the Lunar Orbit VLBI Experiment (LOVEX), the Grid-based Energetic Neural Atom Imager (GENA), and the Extreme Ultraviolet Camera (EUC) will be mounted on a relay satellite, Queqiao-2, set for launch in the first half of this year.

The main probe, comprising an orbiter, a lander, a rover, and a mini-flying probe, is designed for a multifaceted approach to lunar exploration. The lander, along with the rover and mini-flying probe, is destined to land on a crater's illuminated rim near the lunar south pole. The onboard instruments, including cameras, radars, mineral and water analyzers, spectrometers, magnetometers, a seismograph, and a volatiles detector, are testament to the mission's comprehensive scientific agenda.

Chang'e 6: A Prelude to Chang'e 7
Before the anticipated launch of Chang'e 7, China plans to dispatch Chang'e 6 to the moon in the first half of 2024. This mission is set to collect samples from the far side of the moon, continuing the trend of pioneering lunar exploration efforts by the Chinese space program.

Implications for Future Lunar Research and Utilization

The Chang'e 7 mission is not just an exploration endeavor; it is a foundational step towards establishing a long-term lunar research station. Investigating the formation and evolution of the moon, the space environment, and the utilization of in-situ resources on the moon, Chang'e 7 is poised to enhance our understanding of Earth's only natural satellite and its potential for future human activity.

This mission aligns with the global interest in the lunar south pole, a region believed to harbor water ice and other valuable resources. The presence of water ice, in particular, is crucial for future lunar exploration and habitation, as it could provide life support and fuel for missions deeper into space.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article