Following the success of the Chang'e-6 mission, China is set to launch two more lunar probes, marking a significant step towards establishing an international lunar research station. The first launch is scheduled for 2026, as announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
The Chang'e-7 mission will launch in 2026, followed by Chang'e-8 around 2028. While Chang'e-6 explored the far side of the Moon, the upcoming missions will focus on the area designated for the future research station, testing crucial technologies.
According to Bian Zhigang, deputy director of CNSA, "Chang'e-7 will investigate the environment and resources of the lunar south pole, while Chang'e-8 will validate technologies for utilizing local resources, laying the groundwork for the future research station. We expect to have the basic model of the lunar station ready by around 2035."
The construction will occur in two phases. The first phase will establish a basic model at the lunar south pole with a research radius of 100 kilometers. This phase includes creating a lunar-to-Earth communication network to enable connectivity between unmanned lunar exploration missions, astronaut landings, and international cooperation.
The second phase, expected to be completed by 2050, will focus on expanding the lunar network, including the creation of a lunar orbital station and a south pole station, complemented by research nodes at the lunar equator and the far side. This system will provide an integrated research platform capable of stable and continuous operation.
"We are developing a strategy that encompasses space patrol, Earth observation, and lunar research. Lunar exploration focuses on lunar science but will also allow us to conduct astronomical and Earth observations from the Moon," added Bian Zhigang.
During the Chang'e-8 mission, China plans to test communication technologies on the Moon, ensuring the implementation of wireless networks and energy supply. "We are also investigating the possibility of lunar cultivation, and Chang'e-8 may conduct important scientific studies in that area," stated Guan Feng, director of the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center at CNSA.