달 남극, 미국보다 먼저 차지할 계획 삐끗?…중국 ‘창어 7호’ 발사 연기

China has postponed the launch of its Chang'e 7 lunar probe, according to state media. With the US and China entering a rapid space race, China's lunar exploration schedule has been disrupted. The China Manned Space Agency stated on the 23rd that the Chang'e 7 mission could not meet launch conditions due to their principle of "being stable, reliable, and making no mistakes."

They did not disclose the specific reason for the delay or provide a new launch schedule. The probe was originally scheduled to launch from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan on the 24th aboard the Long March 5 rocket. The probe and rocket combination were already moved to the launch site last Friday. Local media reported that the launch facility and equipment were in good condition.

The probe carries scientific equipment developed by Thailand's National Institute of Astronomical Research. Changle 7 consists of an orbiter, a landing module, and a lander. Its primary mission is to land near the Shackleton Crater at the moon's south pole to investigate ice deposits and terrain conditions. Ice deposits could provide drinking water, oxygen, and fuel for future lunar bases.

This delay comes unexpectedly in the context of the US and China's intense competition to explore the moon. China plans to use Chang'e 7 to study lunar resources and the environment, send Chang'e 8 in 2028 to test resource utilization technology, and achieve China's first manned lunar landing before 2030. The US, also competing in lunar exploration, sent four astronauts to orbit the moon aboard Artemis 2 in April and aims to land astronauts on the lunar south pole by 2028.