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 probe and its Long March-5 Y14 were transferred vertically to the launching area at Wenchang on 19 August 2026, with functional checks, joint testing and propellant filling to follow; the China Manned Space Agency says the launch is scheduled for an appropriate time and has announced no date.

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.

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