Scientific objectives and payload configuration of the Chang'E-7 mission

TLDR

Chang'E-7 is the cornerstone mission of the fourth phase of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, approved in 2022 and comprising a main probe and a relay satellite. The CE‑7 mission primarily aims to conduct scientific and resource exploration of the lunar south pole. The mission will launch a main probe in 2026 that includes an orbiter, lander, rover, and mini‑flying probe, with the lander targeting Shackleton crater’s illuminated rim near the south pole, while a Queqiao‑2 relay satellite will launch in February 2024 to support communication for Chang’E‑4, Chang’E‑6, and subsequent lunar missions, and the scientific objectives, payload configuration, and key technical specifications are detailed.

Abstract

ABSTRACT As the cornerstone mission of the fourth phase of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, Chang'E-7 (CE-7) was officially approved, and implementation started in 2022, including a main probe and a communication relay satellite. The main probe, consisting of an orbiter, a lander, a rover and a mini-flying probe, is scheduled to be launched in 2026. The lander will land on Shackleton crater's illuminated rim near the lunar south pole, along with the rover and mini-flying probe. The relay satellite (named Queqiao-2) will be launched in February 2024 as an independent mission to support relay communication during scientific exploration undertaken by Chang’E-4, the upcoming Chang’E-6 in 2024 and subsequent lunar missions. The CE-7 mission is mainly aimed at scientific and resource exploration of the lunar south pole. We present CE-7’s scientific objectives, the scientific payloads configuration and the main functions for each scientific payload with its key technical specifications.