China puts off Chang’e-7 mission to lunar south pole

BreakingChina puts off Chang’e-7 mission to lunar south poleHistoric mission to drill for ice was set to lift off as early as MondayPublished: 8:26pm, 23 Aug 2026Updated: 8:26pm, 23 Aug 2026China’s historic Chang’e-7 mission to drill for ice near the moon’s south pole has been delayed, the country’s human space flight programme authority said on Sunday.The Chang’e-7 – carrying an orbiter, a lander, rover and hopper – was set to lift off aboard a Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang spaceport in southern China as early as Monday.The China Manned Space Agency said the mission would be postponed following a comprehensive assessment to adhere to principles of safety and reliability.“The Chang’e-7 mission does not meet the launch conditions and cannot be carried out within the scheduled launch window this year,” state news agency Xinhua reported, citing the agency.More to follow ...0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x