Race to the Moon · China
Chang’e 7 was postponed and has no new official date. Chang’e 7 is a lander + rover mission in the Chang’e programme by China (lunar exploration programme; statements issued by CMSA), counted under China.
Data reviewed against sources as of · All dates UTC unless a local time is shown
Orbiter, lander, rover and a hopping probe for permanently shadowed craters; six international instruments. CMSA, 23 Aug 2026: "In line with the principle of being prudent, reliable and failure-proof, and after a comprehensive assessment, the Chang’e-7 mission does not meet launch conditions and cannot be carried out in this year’s planned window." No cause and no new date were given. Thailand’s NARIT (a payload partner) said the main driver "appeared to be" weather, specifically higher-altitude winds, and expects a 2027 window; a partner statement, not China’s.
Chang’e 7: promised 31 Dec 2026 (announced 7 Sep 2024)
"scheduled for launch around 2026" (Sep 2024)
Still open.
Not used in the projection: Open (not yet met): a lower bound only. It becomes at least 1.0 on 1 Jan 2027, which the postponement already makes certain.
Sources: gov.cn (Xinhua) (7 Sep 2024) · China Manned Space Agency (CMSE site) (23 Aug 2026)
Sources: China Manned Space Agency (CMSE site) (19 Aug 2026)
Sources: China Manned Space Agency (CMSE site) (23 Aug 2026) · Xinhua (23 Aug 2026) · CBS News (23 Aug 2026)
Chang’e 7 was postponed and has no new official date.
Chang’e 7 is a lander + rover mission in the Chang’e programme by China (lunar exploration programme; statements issued by CMSA), counted under China.
Postponed. Orbiter, lander, rover and a hopping probe for permanently shadowed craters; six international instruments.
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