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

Abstract

Abstract As the cornerstone mission of the fourth phase of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), Chang’E-7 (CE-7) was officially approved, and the implementation started in 2022, which includes 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 for ongoing scientific exploration of Chang’E-4 (CE-4), the upcoming Chang’E-6 (CE-6) in 2024, and subsequent lunar missions. 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.