LAUNCH OF CHINA’S CHANG’E-7 ROBOTIC LUNAR MISSION, ?

Update, August 23:  China has now officially announced that the launch has been postponed, apparently until 2027 because it says it “cannot take place during the planned window this year.” It’s unclear whether it is only because of the weather or if there are other factors.

China’s official news agency Xinhua says:

“China’s Chang’e-7 lunar probe does not meet launch conditions, and its launch therefore cannot take place during the planned window this year, the China Manned Space Agency said Sunday.   The assessment was conducted following the principle of prudence, reliability and absolute mission success, the agency said.”

The South China Morning Post has a longer article that quotes CMSA somewhat differently, saying the decision was made “following a comprehensive assessment to adhere to principles of safety and reliability.”

The launch can only take place when it allows Chang’e-7 to land during the best lighting conditions at Shackleton Crater on the Moon’s South Pole so the opportunities may not be as frequent as with other lunar landing missions.

Update, August 22: Chinese news sources still have not announced the launch date and posts on X, including this one from @raz_liu, say the launch may be delayed due to Typhoon Narra.  The launch window is open through August 31.

Update, August 20:  Andrew Jones reports in Space News that the rocket has been rolled out to the launch pad and launch is expected on August 23, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time at about 8:00 pm (August 24, 8:00 am local time in China; August 24, 0000 UTC).

Original Entry: China is expected to launch its next robotic lunar lander, Chang’e-7, in the second half of 2026. China typically doesn’t announce launch dates in advance, but outside observers can estimate launch dates by looking at Notices to Airmen (NOTAM’s) near the relevant launch site.

Andrew Jones, a free-lance space journalist who closely follows China’s space program, posted on X that NOTAMs indicate the launch window is open from August 24-31.  That is not a definitive date.

Looks like there’s a NOTAM out indicating that the launch window for the Chang’e-7 lunar south polar landing mission opens at 0000 UTC August 24. Windows of 0000-0400 running through August 31. https://t.co/tnIfWCFT5Z

— Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) July 20, 2026

Chang’e-7 will land at the Moon’s South Pole. The Planetary Society has a useful summary of the mission.