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

HELSINKI — 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.

Chang'e-7 will be prepared for launch on a Long March 5 rocket from Wenchang, with earlier reports suggesting launch in August. The mission consists of an orbiter, lander, rover and a unique hopping probe to seek out evidence of water-ice in permanently shadowed craters at the lunar south pole. It is also a key step in China's roadmap toward a sustained robotic and eventual crewed presence on the moon.

The Chang'e-7 spacecraft was flown from Beijing to Haikou, Hainan island, via an Antonov An-124 aircraft April 9. China's human spaceflight agency, CMSEO, which is working to integrate China's crewed and robotic lunar programs, confirmed the spacecraft's arrival at Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.