Chang'e 7

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Lunar Orbit
Mission: Planetary Science

Lunar Orbit 101 Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

Chang'e 7/CE-7 is scheduled to launch in 2026, including an orbiter, a lander, a mini-hopping probe, and a rover. The mission will land in the South Pole regions of the Moon to study lunar surface environment around the South Pole, especially in looking for water ice in lunar soil.

Updates

Cosmic_Penguin • Aug. 23, 2026, 1:25 p.m.

Delayed from late August.


Cosmic_Penguin • Aug. 22, 2026, 2:44 p.m.

Delayed to August 25 due to launch site weather.


Cosmic_Penguin • Aug. 20, 2026, 12:12 p.m.

Refined launch window per new NOTAMs.


Cosmic_Penguin • July 20, 2026, 12:30 p.m.

Updated launch date and window per new NOTAMs; Assignment of this launch to the one in this time window is uncertain.


Cosmic_Penguin • May 3, 2026, 9:30 p.m.

NET August.


Long March 5

Family:
Configuration:

Long March 5 is a Chinese heavy lift launch system developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). CZ-5 is the first Chinese vehicle designed from the ground up to focus on non-hypergolic liquid rocket propellants. Currently, two CZ-5 vehicle configurations are planned, with maximum payload capacities of ~25,000 kilograms (55,000 lb) to LEO and ~14,000 kilograms (31,000 lb) to GTO. The Long March 5 roughly matches the capabilities of American EELV heavy-class vehicles such as the Delta IV Heavy.

Specifications
  • Stages
    2
  • Length
    57.0 m
  • Diameter
    5.0 m
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
    867.0 T
  • Thrust
    10600.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 5
  • Family
  • Variant
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Long March 5
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
    25000.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
    14000.0 kg
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

(CASC)

Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Successes: 596 Failures: 16 Pending: 10

Agency Type:

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

INFO WIKI
SpaceNews

China’s Chang’e-7 arrives at spaceport for lunar south pole exploration mission

China’s multi-element Chang’e-7 lunar spacecraft has arrived at Wenchang spaceport for launch preparations ahead of a planned liftoff in the second half of 2026. The post China’s Chang’e-7 arrives at spaceport for lunar south pole explora…

SpaceNews

China’s Chang’e-7 moon mission to target Shackleton crater

China will attempt to land on the illuminated rim of Shackleton crater near the lunar south pole with its 2026 Chang’e-7 mission.

The Launch Pad

China Loses UAE As Lunar Mission Partner

An agreement for a United Arab Emirates (UAE) rover to fly on China’s Chang’e-7 lunar mission has reportedly been impacted by US export control rules.

SpaceNews

China loses UAE as partner for Chang’e-7 lunar south pole mission

An agreement for a United Arab Emirates’ rover to fly on China’s Chang’e-7 lunar mission has apparently been hit by U.S. export control rules.

Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

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