China is advancing with an ambitious space project aimed at expanding knowledge of the Moon’s far side and potentially enabling future manned missions and permanent bases. As part of the Chang’e-7 mission, scheduled for 2026, the country plans to send a highly sophisticated flying robot to explore caves and craters in the Moon’s south pole in search of frozen water. This mission is part of China’s ongoing effort to establish itself as a leading power in space exploration, directly competing with the United States and other nations seeking to colonize the Moon and utilize its natural resources.
The Chang’e-7 mission is part of China’s broader plan to establish a long-term presence on the Moon, with the goal of developing a scientific research base at the lunar south pole. This project positions China as one of the key players in the new space race, competing with other nations such as the United States, which also has advanced plans for lunar exploration. China has been heavily investing in modernizing its space infrastructure, developing more powerful rockets, communication satellites, and new landing and robotic exploration technologies. The Chang’e-7 mission is a crucial step toward the construction of the future International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint initiative with Russia and other countries.
The “flying detector,” as the robot is called, is designed to operate under extreme conditions and reach locations inaccessible to conventional ground vehicles. With the ability to fold its legs and perform controlled landings, the equipment will move similarly to a human jumping from a height. This mechanism will allow it to explore deep caves and permanently shadowed craters, where ice is believed to have been preserved for billions of years. Unlike traditional rovers that rely on terrain for movement, this new flying model will have greater flexibility, covering larger areas in less time.
The presence of frozen water on the Moon is a crucial factor for the future of space exploration. The discovered ice can be converted into potable water for astronauts, as well as hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel production, significantly reducing the costs of space missions. The discovery of large water deposits could transform the Moon into an advanced station for interplanetary missions, particularly to Mars, which is one of the main objectives of human space exploration in the next 20 to 30 years.
Although the existence of water on the Moon has already been detected by NASA and Indian spacecraft, as well as previous Chinese missions, the Chang’e-7 mission aims to map the distribution and abundance of this resource in detail. Scientists believe that the dark craters of the Moon’s south pole may contain large ice reserves, potentially useful for sustaining long-term human missions. Moreover, the presence of water could also indicate the possibility of organic compounds and, consequently, provide clues about the existence of microscopic life in other parts of the universe.
Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s Lunar Exploration Program, stated in an interview with state broadcaster CCTV that the goal is for the flying robot to inspect caves and identify potential water deposits. “There are some very deep caves at the Moon’s south pole, and we believe there might be water there,” Wu explained. If this hypothesis is confirmed, the next steps will include developing technologies for extracting and processing the ice, making it usable for future missions.
Exploring the lunar south pole presents significant challenges, including extremely low temperatures that can reach -157°C, as well as the absence of sunlight in some regions. These harsh conditions require the flying robot to be equipped with cutting-edge technology to support extended operations. Its design will feature materials resistant to extreme temperatures, advanced sensors for autonomous navigation, and high-definition cameras to capture detailed images of the lunar environment.
Tang Yuhua, deputy chief designer of the Chang’e-7 mission, emphasized that the robot’s endurance will be one of the mission’s main challenges. “Working for a long time under these circumstances is a major challenge,” he told state media. The equipment must be designed to operate autonomously, using advanced sensors to navigate and perform precise environmental analyses. The robot will also need robust communication systems to transmit data back to Earth, ensuring scientists receive accurate real-time information.
The mission will not only feature the flying robot but also include an orbiter, a lander, and a rover to complement investigations at the Moon’s south pole. The combination of these components will allow for comprehensive research of the region and provide essential data for China’s future space exploration plans. Additionally, scientists intend to test new space mining technologies, which could be crucial for utilizing the Moon’s natural resources.
China has been intensifying its efforts to become the second nation to land astronauts on the Moon, with plans for a manned mission by 2030. The country has already conducted several successful robotic lunar missions in recent years, including Chang’e-5, which brought samples from the Moon’s far side in 2020. The experience gained from these missions has been fundamental in developing new technologies and planning a self-sustaining lunar base.
The success of the Chang’e-7 mission could mark a significant milestone in space exploration, not only for China but for the entire global scientific community. If researchers confirm the presence of water in sufficient quantities, it could pave the way for establishing a permanent lunar base, facilitating future interplanetary missions, such as a potential manned journey to Mars. Furthermore, the Moon’s south pole could become a strategic point for exploring and extracting other valuable resources, such as helium-3, a rare isotope that could be used as fuel for nuclear fusion.
The race for lunar exploration is intensifying, and China is demonstrating its determination to be at the forefront of this new space era. With massive investments and constant technological advancements, the country is reinforcing its role as an emerging powerhouse in the global astronomical landscape. As new missions are planned and executed, space exploration is becoming an increasingly tangible reality, with implications not only for science but also for the future of humanity beyond Earth.
