The planned Chinese robotic lunar exploration mission Chang’e-7 is expected to launch in 2026, seeking to explore the south lunar pole.

The robotic mission will carry out research to detect water ice and test cutting-edge technologies crucial to sustainable human activities on the moon, according to China Media Group.

The reported space mission will be carried out by a technologically innovative robotic spacecraft that is funnel-shaped and equipped with a water molecular analysis device to confirm the existence and dispersion of water ice in craters permanently in the moon’s shadow, according to the same media report.

The Chang’e-3 and Chang’e-5 space missions successfully landed on the near side of the moon that always faces Earth, while the Chang’e-4 and Chang’e-6 space missions achieved historic landings on the far side of the moon.

Thus, the planned landing of the Chang’e-7 mission at the Moon’s south pole will test the capability of China’s lunar space missions in terms of approaching any region of the Moon, Tang Yuhua, deputy planning officer of the Chang’e-7 space mission, said in the same interview.