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China postpones Chang’e-7 lunar mission to drill near south pole

The mission was delayed because it does not meet launch conditions for this year’s scheduled window, citing safety and reliability and the specific sun geometry needed for the south pole landing site.

Reported · Written up by our desk · China

China has postponed its Chang’e-7 mission that was set to drill for ice near the Moon’s south pole, according to the country’s human space flight programme authority.

The mission includes an orbiter, a lander, a rover and a hopper, and had been slated to launch aboard a Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang spaceport in southern China as early as Monday.

China’s China Manned Space Agency said the program will be postponed following a comprehensive assessment to meet safety and reliability principles.

Xinhua, citing the agency, said the mission cannot be carried out within this year’s scheduled launch window because it does not meet launch conditions, pointing to the particular timing required by the target landing site.

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