China's Chang'e 7 mission to hunt Moon's elusive ice
As part of the Chang'e 7 mission, China will search for frozen water, which would be crucial for future lunar exploration. Its launch is planned for 2026. NASA has confirmed this information.
Chang'e 7 is a mission by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) aimed at exploring the Moon from orbit and its surface. The mission plans to deliver a robot to the Moon's south pole, aiming for an ambitious goal—landing Chinese astronauts on the Moon within five years. The launch is scheduled for 2026.
Water is crucial for humanity's return to the Moon
A significant portion of the water on the Moon evaporates due to solar radiation. Research has shown that lunar ice is found in the darkest and coldest regions of the poles, in the shadows of craters that never receive sunlight because of the Moon’s axial tilt. Some scientists believe that only the ice from the craters on the far side of the Moon has the potential to support future crewed missions as a water source.
Searching for water on the Moon is not a new concept. A year earlier, Chinese scientists discovered water in soil samples from the Chang’e-5 mission, similar to previous indications of water presence by NASA and Indian probes.
China wants to build a base on the Moon
China is increasing its efforts to become a leading player in the field of space, emphasizing the importance of this area for science, as well as its role as a source of resources and national security. Gathering information about lunar ice is part of China’s preparations to build a research base on the Moon's south pole.
Tang Yuhua, deputy chief designer of the Chang’e-7 mission, quoted by CNN, acknowledged that "the harsh conditions will be a huge challenge for the robot". "Working in long-term extreme cold poses significant difficulties" - he emphasized in a conversation with CNN.
The Chang'e 7 mission consists of a relay satellite, an orbiter, a lander, a rover, and a small flying probe. The total mass is 8,200 kg (approximately 18,100 lbs), of which 415 kg (about 915 lbs) is allocated for various scientific payloads.
What exactly do the Chinese want to study on the Moon?
NASA confirmed the information about the Chinese mission by publishing a brief note on its website regarding the scientific goals of Chang'e 7. According to them, China aims to:
- obtain information about the internal structure of the lunar ring, mineral components, elemental, electric, and magnetic fields, as well as the heat flow and gravity fields of the Moon;
- investigate the distribution and sources of lunar water and volatiles and directly confirm the presence and sources of water ice on the Moon;
- image energetic neutral atoms in the magnetic tail of the Earth with high spatial, temporal, and energy resolution;
- study the lunar environment, including the surface magnetic field, lunar dust, and radiation to clarify the causes of lunar surface magnetic anomalies.
The course of the Chang'e-7 mission on the Moon
The lander, carrying a rover and a miniature flying probe, will perform a soft landing near the Moon's south pole, where it will conduct research using its seven scientific payloads. It will also deploy a miniature flying probe carrying a water molecule and hydrogen isotope analyzer. The rover carries four scientific payloads.
The flying robot is set to make at least three hops from sunlit areas to shaded craters to gather data on possible locations, amounts, and distribution of ice. The launch of Chang'e 7 is planned for 2026.
