Chang'e-7

The payload

Chang'e-7 lunar probe, a combined orbiting, landing, roving and hopping mission to survey the environment and resources of the lunar south pole, including exploration of permanently shadowed craters. The stack was transferred vertically to the launching area at Wenchang on 19 August 2026, but on 23 August the China Manned Space Agency announced that, after comprehensive assessment, the mission 'does not meet launch conditions' and its launch 'cannot take place during the planned window this year', in Xinhua's English wording of the agency's statement. No reason was detailed and no new date has been given.

Status history

1. 21 Aug 2026Added as an upcoming launch with no date. Xinhua's report of 19 August records the vertical transfer to the launching area and the China Manned Space Agency's line that the probe launches at an appropriate time; the agency's own release, carried by CNSA, puts the launch in the coming days at a chosen moment. Jonathan McDowell's catalogue to 21 August records no Chang'e-7 launch, so the stack is still on the pad.
2. 22 Aug 2026Still at the pad with no announced date: CMSE, CNSA and Xinhua carry nothing newer than the 19 August transfer report, and Jonathan McDowell's catalogue to 21 August records no flight. Press reports of a 24 August target appear on no primary page and stay off this board.
3. 23 Aug 2026The China Manned Space Agency announced that, on the principle of prudence, reliability and absolute success, and after comprehensive assessment, the mission does not meet launch conditions and cannot be carried out in this year's planned window. No reason was detailed and no new date was given.
4. 29 Aug 2026Recorded as slipped on this board, from the agency's own release of 23 August and Xinhua's English report of the same day; Jonathan McDowell's catalogue to 28 August 18:00 UTC records no Chang'e-7 launch.

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