Chang'e-7 (Chinese: ๅซฆๅจฅไธๅท; Pinyin: Chรกng'รฉ qฤซhร o) is a planned robotic lunar exploration mission by China's CNSA (China National Space Administration). Named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e, it is the cornerstone mission of Phase IV of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP). It is China's most complex lunar mission to date, targeting the lunar south pole to search for water ice in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs).
The mission was formally approved in September 2022. The spacecraft arrived at Wenchang in April 2026 and is targeted for launch in August 2026.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mission Name | Chang'e-7 (ๅซฆๅจฅไธๅท) |
| Operator | CNSA (China National Space Administration) |
| Manufacturer | CAST (China Academy of Space Technology) |
| Mission Type | Orbiter + Lander + Rover + Hopping Probe |
| Phase of CLEP | Phase IV (South Pole Robotic Research Station) |
| Primary Objective | Detect & characterize water ice at lunar south pole |
| Target Location | Illuminated rim of Shackleton Crater, lunar south pole |
| Landing Coordinates | 88ยฐ48โฒS, 123ยฐ24โฒE (near Shackleton crater rim) |
| Launch Vehicle | Long March 5 (CZ-5) |
| Launch Site | Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, Hainan Island |
| Planned Launch | August 2026 |
| Mission Duration | 8 years (planned) |
| Launch Mass | ~8,200 kg (18,100 lb) |
| Total Payloads | 21 scientific payloads (including 6 international) |
| Relay Satellite | Queqiao-2 (launched March 2024) |
| Approved | September 2022 |
Chang'e-7 will be the first mission in history to directly enter permanently shadowed craters at the lunar south pole to search for water ice using its unique hopping probe โ a feat no rover or lander has achieved before.
UPSC may ask about the unique element that distinguishes Chang'e-7 from all prior lunar missions: its mini-hopping probe (capable of jumping into shadowed craters), which no previous mission has used. Also remember the relay satellite Queqiao-2 supports it.
The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), also called the Chang'e Project, was formally initiated on 23 January 2004 by CNSA. It is structured into four incremental phases, each building on the last in technological complexity, with the ultimate goal of establishing a crewed lunar presence by the 2030s.
| Phase | Objective | Missions | Year | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase I | Lunar Orbiting | Chang'e-1, Chang'e-2 | 2007, 2010 | 3D surface mapping; first Chinese lunar orbiters |
| Phase II | Landing & Roving | Chang'e-3, Chang'e-4 | 2013, 2019 | CE-3: Asia's first soft landing; CE-4: world's first far-side landing |
| Phase III | Sample Return | Chang'e-5, Chang'e-6 | 2020, 2024 | CE-5: first lunar sample return since 1976; CE-6: first far-side sample return ever |
| Phase IV | South Pole Research Station (ILRS) | Chang'e-7, Chang'e-8 (2028/29) | 2026+ | Water ice detection, ISRU tech demo, ILRS foundation |
| Mission | Year | Sample Mass | Location | Historic First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chang'e-5 | 2020 | 1,731 g | Oceanus Procellarum (near side) | First Chinese sample return; first since 1976 |
| Chang'e-6 | 2024 | 1,935.3 g | South Pole-Aitken Basin (far side) | World's first ever far-side sample return |
Students often confuse Chang'e-4 (far-side landing, 2019) with Chang'e-6 (far-side sample return, 2024). Both were far-side milestones but very different mission types. Chang'e-4 deployed the Yutu-2 rover; Chang'e-6 returned 1,935.3 g of far-side samples.
Chang'e-7 uses a 4-element mission architecture โ Orbiter + Lander + Rover + Hopper โ making it the most complex robotic lunar stack ever assembled by China. This is a first-of-its-kind configuration for any space agency.
| Element | Role | Key Features | Key Instruments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbiter | Remote sensing; mapping; relay; support lander descent | 100 km polar orbit; resolution <0.5 m at 100 km altitude; imaging width >18 km | High-res stereo mapping camera ยท Miniature SAR (synthetic aperture radar) ยท Infrared spectrometer ยท Neutron & gamma-ray spectrometers ยท Magnetometer |
| Lander | Precise soft-landing at Shackleton rim; deploys rover & hopper | First deep-space "landmark image navigation" system; autonomous terrain analysis; >50% tasks autonomous; vertical solar panels for low-angle sunlight | Navigation cameras ยท Seismograph (moonquake detection) ยท Thermal sensors |
| Rover | Surface roving; geological & geochemical analysis | Based on Yutu (Jade Rabbit) design but larger; different payload suite; analyzes surface & subsurface | Panoramic camera ยท Magnetometer ยท Raman spectrometer ยท Lunar-penetrating radar ยท In-situ volatiles measurement system |
| Mini-Hopper (Flying Probe) | Jump into permanently shadowed craters (PSRs); direct water ice detection โ the mission's most unique element | Propelled by rocket propulsion; jumps from sunlit rim into shadowed craters; works in darkness & extreme cold; active shock-absorption for slope landings; first-of-its-kind lunar explorer | LUWA (Lunar soil Water molecule Analyzer): integrates differential absorption spectrometer + lunar soil heating module + tunable laser spectrometer + time-of-flight mass spectrometer ยท Hydrogen isotope analyzer |
Chang'e-7 is also supported by Queqiao-2 (้นๆกฅไบๅท), a relay satellite launched in March 2024. It operates in a 12-hour-period elliptical orbit (switching from the 24-hour orbit used for Chang'e-6) to provide continuous Earth-Moon communication relay. Queqiao-2 itself carries 3 additional scientific payloads contributing to the Chang'e-7 science objectives.
The hopper/mini-flying probe is the single most examinable element of Chang'e-7. It is described as a "first-of-its-kind lunar explorer". Its key payload is LUWA (LUnar soil Water molecule Analyzer). Remember: the hopper can go where no rover can โ into permanently shadowed craters.
| Element | Instrument / Payload | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Orbiter | High-Resolution Stereo Mapping Camera | 3D lunar south pole mapping; <0.5 m resolution at 100 km |
| Miniature Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) | Sub-surface probing; ice/volatile detection from orbit | |
| Wide-Band Infrared Spectrum Mineral Imaging Analyzer | Mineral composition mapping | |
| High-Resolution Neutron & Gamma-Ray Spectrometers | Detect hydrogen signatures indicating water ice | |
| Magnetometer | Lunar magnetic field mapping | |
| Lander | Seismograph (first on a Chinese lunar lander) | Moonquake detection; lunar interior structure study; near/far side dichotomy research |
| Landmark Image Navigation System | China's first deep-space precision navigation; autonomous landing | |
| Rover | Raman Spectrometer | In-situ mineral & molecular composition analysis |
| Lunar-Penetrating Radar | Subsurface structure; detect buried water/ice layers | |
| In-Situ Volatiles Measurement System | Direct volatile (water, gases) measurement on surface | |
| Hopper | LUWA โ Differential Absorption Spectrometer | Detects water molecule absorption signatures |
| LUWA โ Tunable Laser Spectrometer | High-precision water molecule identification | |
| LUWA โ Lunar Soil Heating Module | Drills, seals & heats regolith samples for analysis | |
| LUWA โ Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer | Characterises water ice form, abundance & origin | |
| Russia (via Roscosmos) | PmL-Ch7 Dust Monitoring Instrument | Lunar dust dynamics, near-surface exosphere, micrometeorite & plasma study |
| ILOA (Int'l Lunar Observatory Assoc.) | ILO-C Astronomical Telescope | Moon-based astronomical observation (Galaxy Center imaging) |
| Egypt/Bahrain | Hyperspectral Imager | Mineral & water-ice mapping |
| Italy | Scientific instrument (lunar surface research) | In-situ analysis |
| Switzerland | Scientific instrument | Environment sensing |
| Thailand (NARIT) | Scientific instrument | Astronomical observation |
LUWA (LUnar soil Water molecule Analyzer) is the mission's most critical instrument, mounted on the hopper. It integrates 4 components: (1) Differential absorption spectrometer, (2) Tunable laser spectrometer, (3) Lunar soil heating module (drills and heats regolith), (4) Time-of-flight mass spectrometer. It will characterize water ice's form, abundance, and origin in PSRs โ a first for humanity.
Chang'e-7's lander will carry China's first-ever deep-space seismograph on a lunar lander. Scientists aim to study the Moon's internal structure and whether differences exist between the near and far sides (the "lunar dichotomy") โ one of the biggest unresolved questions in lunar science.
| Parameter | Value / Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chang'e-7 ยท ๅซฆๅจฅไธๅท ยท Chรกng'รฉ qฤซhร o |
| Operator | CNSA โ China National Space Administration |
| Manufacturer | CAST โ China Academy of Space Technology |
| Launch Rocket | Long March 5 (CZ-5) โ China's most powerful rocket |
| Launch Site | LC-101, Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, Hainan Island |
| Launch Window | August 2026 (second half of 2026 officially) |
| Arrived at Wenchang | April 9โ10, 2026 (flown via Antonov An-124 from Beijing) |
| Launch Mass | ~8,200 kg (same as Chang'e-5 and CE-6) |
| Mission Duration | 8 years (planned) |
| Landing Site | Peak near southeast ridge of Shackleton Crater |
| Coordinates | 88ยฐ48โฒS, 123ยฐ24โฒE |
| Orbital Altitude | 100 km initial polar orbit |
| Pre-landing Orbit Wait | ~90 days in polar orbit (before landing) |
| Orbiter Resolution | <0.5 m at 100 km altitude |
| Autonomy Level | >50% tasks performed without real-time ground control |
| CLEP Approval Date | January 23, 2004 (Program); Sept 2022 (CE-7 specifically) |
| Relay Satellite | Queqiao-2 (launched March 2024, Long March 8) |
| Queqiao-2 Antenna | 4.2-meter parabolic antenna; mission lifetime >8 years |
| Solar Panels | Mounted vertically to capture low-angle polar sunlight |
| Moon-to-Earth Transit | A few days after launch, enters polar lunar orbit |
| Hopper Propulsion | Rocket propulsion (not wheels); active shock-absorption |
| Crewed Mission Goal | Chinese taikonauts on Moon by 2030s; ILRS by 2036 |
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | ้ฟๅพไบๅท (Chรกng Zhฤng Wวhร o) |
| Type | Heavy-lift launch vehicle |
| Launch Site | Wenchang, Hainan Island (coastal โ needed for heavy rockets) |
| Previous Lunar Missions | Chang'e-5 (2020), Chang'e-6 (2024), Chang'e-7 (2026) |
| Significance for Chang'e-7 | Only rocket capable of lifting ~8,200 kg to trans-lunar injection |
Shackleton Crater is a 21-km wide impact crater at the lunar south pole. Its permanently illuminated rim (near-constant sunlight for solar power) is adjacent to a permanently shadowed interior (hosting potential water ice). This makes it ideal for a dual-purpose mission: power on the rim, water ice access inside. It is also a candidate for NASA's Artemis III crewed landing.
Chang'e-7 carries 6 international payloads selected from 7 countries and international agencies based on scientific merit and engineering compatibility. This reflects China's strategy to build a global coalition for its International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
| Country / Agency | Payload | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Russia (Roscosmos) | PmL-Ch7 Dust Monitoring Instrument | Study lunar dust dynamics, near-surface exosphere, micrometeorites, low-energy plasma |
| Egypt / Bahrain | Hyperspectral Imager | Mineral & water-ice mapping via spectral analysis |
| Italy | Scientific instrument | In-situ lunar surface research |
| Switzerland | Scientific instrument | Environmental sensing |
| Thailand (NARIT) | Scientific instrument | Astronomical observation from lunar surface |
| ILOA (Int'l Lunar Observatory Assoc., Hawaiสปi) | ILO-C Astronomical Telescope | Moon-based astronomy; Galaxy Center imaging; universe observation from lunar surface |
Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 are the two key precursor missions to the ILRS โ a planned permanent robotic (later crewed) lunar base near the south pole, led jointly by CNSA (China) and Roscosmos (Russia).
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) |
| Lead Nations | China (CNSA) + Russia (Roscosmos) |
| MoU signed | March 2021 (China-Russia); Roadmap released June 2021 |
| Phases | Reconnaissance (2021โ25) โ Construction (2026โ35) โ Utilization (2036+) |
| Goal | Permanent crewed lunar base near south pole by 2036 |
| Countries Joined | 17 countries & int'l organizations + 50+ research institutions (as of April 2025) |
| Known Participant Nations | Russia, Venezuela, Belarus, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Egypt, Nicaragua, Thailand, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Turkey (among others) |
| China's Target | Attract 50 countries to join ILRS |
| ESA Position | NOT joining ILRS (Russia sanctions; embargo on Russian space industry since Ukraine invasion 2022) |
| Chang'e-7 Role | First ILRS precursor โ scouts south pole, confirms water ice, tests precision landing |
| Chang'e-8 Role | ISRU demo โ 3D printing bricks from lunar regolith; power station planning with Roscosmos (MoU May 2025) |
| Crewed Landing Goal | Chinese taikonauts on Moon by 2030s |
The world is witnessing two parallel Moon coalitions: (1) Artemis Accords โ led by USA/NASA, includes India, Japan, EU, UAE, etc. (~50 signatories); (2) ILRS โ led by China/Russia (~17 countries). India is part of Artemis Accords but not ILRS. This geopolitical split in lunar exploration is a key UPSC angle for IR/S&T papers.
| Concept | Connection to Chang'e-7 | UPSC Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Lunar South Pole | Primary target; home of PSRs, potential water ice, harsh terrain | Why it matters โ water = drinking water, Oโ, Hโ rocket fuel; key for future Moon base |
| Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) | Craters never touched by sunlight; temperatures near โ250ยฐF; may hold billions of tons of water ice | Core science concept; why the hopper is needed (no rover can enter) |
| Shackleton Crater | Chang'e-7 target landing site; 21 km wide; illuminated rim + shadowed interior | Both Artemis III (NASA) and Chang'e-7 (China) target this region โ "Second Space Race" |
| Chandrayaan-3 (India/ISRO) | First spacecraft to land near lunar south pole (Aug 23, 2023); confirmed sulphur & other elements; India = 4th country to soft-land on Moon | Chandrayaan-3 landed near south pole but did NOT directly confirm water ice (limited mission duration); Chang'e-7's LUWA will attempt definitive confirmation |
| Chandrayaan-1 (India/ISRO) | Launched 2008; M3 instrument (Moon Mineralogy Mapper, NASA payload) first definitively detected water molecules on Moon's surface | India's critical role in lunar water discovery; M3 data underpins Chang'e-7's water ice hypothesis |
| NASA Artemis Program | Artemis III aims for first crewed south pole landing; candidate site "Peak Near Shackleton" overlaps with Chang'e-7 zone | Strategic competition for lunar south pole resources; China likely beats US to south pole by 1+ years |
| Queqiao-2 Relay Satellite | Launched March 2024; relayed Chang'e-6 data; will support Chang'e-7 & CE-8 in 12-hour elliptical orbit | Critical communications infrastructure โ without it, far-side/south pole missions impossible |
| Outer Space Treaty 1967 | Prohibits any nation from "owning" the Moon; water ice use as resource falls in grey area | Lunar resource law; ILRS vs Artemis Accords differ on governance approach |
| Water Ice โ Strategic Significance | If confirmed in sufficient quantity: (a) drinking water for astronauts, (b) electrolysis โ Hโ for rocket fuel + Oโ to breathe, (c) cooling equipment, (d) enables Mars missions | In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) โ reduces Earth-launch costs dramatically |
| Long March 5 | China's heaviest rocket; ~8,200 kg to TLI; also used for Tianwen-1 (Mars), Tianhe module (CSS) | Enables China's deep-space ambitions; compares to NASA's SLS |
| ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) | Chang'e-8 will demo ISRU (3D printing); Chang'e-7 confirms resources available | GS-III: Space Technology; core concept for sustainable space exploration |
Water ice at lunar poles is believed to have been delivered by comets and asteroids over billions of years, then trapped in PSRs where temperatures never exceed โ180ยฐC (โ292ยฐF). Chandrayaan-1's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (NASA instrument, 2008) was the first to confirm water molecules on the lunar surface. Chang'e-7's LUWA will go further โ directly drilling and analyzing ice in PSRs.
China's Chang'e-7 probe arrived at Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on April 9โ10, 2026, transported from Beijing via an Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSEO) confirmed its arrival and announced the spacecraft is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2026, with August 2026 the working target date. This marks the beginning of final pre-launch preparations.
Chang'e-7's multi-element stack will be prepared for launch on a Long March 5 rocket from Wenchang, targeting the illuminated rim of Shackleton Crater near the lunar south pole. The mission will use the Queqiao-2 relay satellite (already in lunar orbit since 2024) for Earth-Moon communications throughout. Experts note China is likely to reach the lunar south pole at least one year ahead of NASA's Artemis missions.
Chang'e-7 will carry China's first-ever lunar seismograph โ confirmed by Wu Fuyuan of CAS Institute of Geology and Geophysics. The seismograph will study moonquakes and probe the Moon's internal structure, specifically investigating whether differences exist between the near and far sides (the "lunar dichotomy"). The probe can autonomously analyze landing terrain with over 50% of operations performed without real-time ground intervention.
CNSA officials confirmed the August 2026 launch target for Chang'e-7. China is described as being "on track to beat the US to extract lunar water", given NASA's CLPS missions (Firefly Blue Ghost Mission 2, Intuitive Machines IM-3) are also targeting 2026 but may not definitively confirm water ice in regolith. Chang'e-7's LUWA hopper is the only instrument specifically designed to enter PSRs and directly analyze ice.
China and Russia signed a memorandum on construction of a power station for the ILRS (May 2025), reinforcing the CNSA-Roscosmos partnership. Russia's payload PmL-Ch7 (dust monitoring instrument) will fly on Chang'e-7. The ILRS now has 17 countries and international organizations signed up, along with more than 50 international research institutions as of April 2025, per CNSA chief designer Wu Weiren at Shanghai.
Chang'e-7 has been flagged as a high-priority UPSC current affairs topic for Prelims 2026. The mission's unique hopper probe, LUWA instrument, ILRS connection, and geopolitical dimension (China-US moon race; Artemis Accords vs ILRS) make it relevant across GS-I (Science & Technology), GS-II (International Relations), and the Prelims Science & Technology section.
Watch for questions on: (1) Which element of Chang'e-7 enters permanently shadowed craters? (Hopper/mini-flying probe); (2) Name the water-ice instrument on Chang'e-7's hopper (LUWA); (3) What is Queqiao-2? (Relay satellite for CE-7); (4) Which Indian mission first confirmed water on Moon? (Chandrayaan-1's M3 instrument); (5) ILRS is led by โ (China + Russia).
| # | Statement | True / False | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chang'e-7 will be the first Chinese mission to target the lunar south pole. | โ True | CE-1 to CE-6 targeted equatorial or far-side regions. CE-7 is first to target south pole. |
| 2 | The hopping probe in Chang'e-7 uses wheel-based locomotion to enter shadowed craters. | โ False | The hopper uses rocket propulsion โ it jumps, not rolls. Wheels cannot reach steep shadowed crater interiors. |
| 3 | Chang'e-6 was the world's first mission to return samples from the Moon's far side. | โ True | Landed June 1, 2024; returned 1,935.3 g from South Pole-Aitken Basin on June 25, 2024. |
| 4 | LUWA stands for Lunar Underground Water Analyzer. | โ False | LUWA = LUnar soil Water molecule Analyzer. It analyzes water molecules in lunar regolith, not underground water per se. |
| 5 | ESA (European Space Agency) is a partner in China's ILRS program. | โ False | ESA explicitly stated it will NOT participate in ILRS, citing Russia's involvement and EU sanctions on Russia's space industry post-Ukraine. |
| 6 | Queqiao-2 was specifically launched for the Chang'e-7 mission. | โ False | Queqiao-2 (launched March 2024) was primarily for Chang'e-6. It will continue to support Chang'e-7 and CE-8 in a 12-hour orbit. |
| 7 | Chandrayaan-3 was the first spacecraft to land precisely at the lunar south pole. | โ False | Chandrayaan-3 landed near the south pole (high-latitude region), not precisely at the pole. CE-7 targets closer to the actual south pole (88.8ยฐS). |
| 8 | Chang'e-4 achieved the world's first soft landing on the Moon's far side in 2019. | โ True | Landed January 3, 2019, in South Pole-Aitken Basin โ humanity's first-ever far-side landing. |
| 9 | Chang'e-7's mission duration is planned for 3 years. | โ False | Planned duration is 8 years. |
| 10 | India's Chandrayaan-1 mission was the first to confirm the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface. | โ True | Chandrayaan-1's M3 (Moon Mineralogy Mapper, a NASA instrument) detected water molecules on the lunar surface in 2008โ09. |
Chang'e-6 (2024) = far-side sample return mission, South Pole-Aitken Basin, 1,935.3 g samples returned. Chang'e-7 (2026) = south pole exploration mission, no sample return, 4-element stack, water ice focus. Do NOT confuse them โ CE-6 returned samples; CE-7 searches for ice in-situ.
Students often say Chandrayaan-3 landed at the south pole. It landed at a high-latitude southern region (near-south pole), not at the geographic south pole. Chang'e-7 will land at 88.8ยฐS โ genuinely at the south pole. Russia's Luna-25 (2023) crashed while attempting a south pole landing.
India is a signatory of the Artemis Accords (NASA-led), NOT ILRS. The ILRS is the China-Russia rival framework. ESA is also NOT in ILRS. Pakistan IS a participant in ILRS. This distinction is critical for both S&T and IR questions.
It was Chandrayaan-1's M3 instrument (a NASA payload on the Indian spacecraft, 2008โ09) that first definitively confirmed water molecules on the lunar surface. This is a favourite UPSC trap โ it links India's space program to the Chang'e-7 water ice mission chain.
Unlike CE-5 and CE-6, Chang'e-7 does NOT return samples to Earth. The ascent hardware was removed to make space for the hopper, seismograph, and 21 scientific payloads. The hopper drills and analyzes in-situ (on the Moon). Do not mix this up with the sample return missions.
Chang'e-7 launches on Long March 5 (heavy-lift, from Wenchang). Queqiao-2 launched on Long March 8 (medium-lift) in March 2024. Do not confuse the rockets used for the relay satellite and the main mission stack.
UPSC often asks about firsts in space missions. For Chang'e-7, remember: (1) First mission to enter PSRs (hopper), (2) First seismograph on Chinese lunar lander, (3) First direct in-situ water ice confirmation attempt at south pole, (4) First time China uses "landmark image navigation" in deep space.
| Mission | Year | Type | Historic First / Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chang'e-1 | 2007 | Orbiter | First Chinese lunar orbiter; 3D surface map |
| Chang'e-2 | 2010 | Orbiter | Higher-res mapping; extended to L2 & asteroid Toutatis |
| Chang'e-3 | 2013 | Lander + Yutu rover | Asia's first soft lunar landing |
| Chang'e-4 | 2019 | Lander + Yutu-2 rover | World's first far-side landing |
| Chang'e-5 | 2020 | Sample return (near side) | 1,731 g; first sample return since 1976 |
| Chang'e-6 | 2024 | Sample return (far side) | 1,935.3 g; world's first far-side sample return |
| Chang'e-7 | 2026 | Orbiter+Lander+Rover+Hopper | First PSR water ice direct search; 21 payloads; ILRS Precursor |
| Chang'e-8 | ~2028โ29 | ISRU demonstration | 3D print bricks from regolith; ILRS foundation |
| Mission | Country | Year | Status / Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandrayaan-1 (M3) | India (ISRO) | 2008โ09 | First confirmation of water molecules on Moon's surface |
| Luna-25 | Russia | 2023 | Crashed while attempting south pole landing |
| Chandrayaan-3 (Vikram/Pragyan) | India (ISRO) | Aug 2023 | First spacecraft to land near south pole; India = 4th country to soft-land on Moon |
| Artemis II | USA (NASA) | 2025โ26 | Crewed lunar flyby (no landing); precursor to Artemis III |
| Chang'e-7 | China (CNSA) | 2026 | First direct PSR water ice search; hopper; Aug 2026 target |
| Artemis III | USA (NASA) | ~2026โ27 | First crewed south pole landing (planned); Shackleton region candidate |
| Chang'e-8 | China (CNSA) | ~2028โ29 | ISRU demo; ILRS foundation mission |