First of China's two additional lunar station missions set for 2026
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on Tuesday that China's lunar exploration project will proceed with two additional missions following the Chang'e-6 mission, aimed at establishing the groundwork for an international lunar research station (ILRS).
TroibNews 
The China National Space Administration announced on Tuesday that China's lunar exploration project plans to carry out two additional missions following the Chang'e-6 mission to establish a foundation for an international lunar research station.
According to the timeline, the Chang'e-7 is set to launch in 2026, followed by Chang'e-8 around 2028.
As explained by Bian Zhigang, deputy head of the CNSA, the Chang'e-7 mission will focus on surveying the lunar south pole's environment and resources, while Chang'e-8 will test technologies for the in-situ utilization of lunar resources. By 2035, a basic station model is expected to be constructed.
The project's construction will occur in two phases. The first phase will establish a basic station model in the moon's south pole region to facilitate scientific research operations within a 100-kilometer radius. This will involve an integrated Earth-moon information network that connects multiple missions, including unmanned lunar exploration, manned lunar landings, and international collaborations, ensuring interoperability. This phase will lead to the creation of a comprehensive scientific lunar research platform equipped with essential functions and components.
The second phase aims to broaden the construction efforts to create an extensive lunar station network by 2050. This network will utilize a lunar orbit station as its central hub, with the south pole station serving as the focal point, supplemented by exploration nodes on the lunar equator and far side. The objective is to develop a large-scale scientific research platform that operates reliably, capable of supporting both long-term unmanned missions and short-term manned missions.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
According to the timeline, the Chang'e-7 is set to launch in 2026, followed by Chang'e-8 around 2028.
As explained by Bian Zhigang, deputy head of the CNSA, the Chang'e-7 mission will focus on surveying the lunar south pole's environment and resources, while Chang'e-8 will test technologies for the in-situ utilization of lunar resources. By 2035, a basic station model is expected to be constructed.
The project's construction will occur in two phases. The first phase will establish a basic station model in the moon's south pole region to facilitate scientific research operations within a 100-kilometer radius. This will involve an integrated Earth-moon information network that connects multiple missions, including unmanned lunar exploration, manned lunar landings, and international collaborations, ensuring interoperability. This phase will lead to the creation of a comprehensive scientific lunar research platform equipped with essential functions and components.
The second phase aims to broaden the construction efforts to create an extensive lunar station network by 2050. This network will utilize a lunar orbit station as its central hub, with the south pole station serving as the focal point, supplemented by exploration nodes on the lunar equator and far side. The objective is to develop a large-scale scientific research platform that operates reliably, capable of supporting both long-term unmanned missions and short-term manned missions.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
