Future Chinese Lunar Missions


The information available on these missions is limited and does not all come from official sources. The descriptions represent a somewhat speculative outline of the missions and will probably change as more information becomes available.


Chang'e 4 Lander and Rover
Chang'e 4 Lander and Rover on the Moon (Image: CNSA)


Chang'e 6 - Lander and Sample Return

Launch: 3 May 2024

The Chang'e 6 mission is a planned lander designed to return samples from the lunar South Pole Aitken Basin. It was designed as a backup for Chang'e 5. It will land on the farside of the Moon, using the Queqiao-2 relay satellite to allow communication with the Earth. It is designed to bring back about 2 kg of samples.


Chang'e 7 - Orbiter, Lander, Rover, Probe

Launch: 2026

Chang'e 7 is planned to make detailed surveys of the south polar region of the Moon, covering the terrain, geological composition, locations of water ice, and space environment. One of the primary objectives will be to detect water ice in permanently shadowed areas and determine its origin.


Chang'e 8 - Technology Tests

Launch: 2028

Chang'e 8 is designed to test technologies necessary to the construction of a lunar science base. It will also conduct surveys and scientific experiments.

Past and Current Missions

Chang'e 1 - 2007 - Lunar Orbiter
Chang'e 2 - 2010 - Lunar Orbiter
Chang'e 3 - 2013 - Lunar Lander
Yutu - 2013 - Lunar Rover
Chang'e 5-T1 - 2014 - Test Vehicle
Queqiao - 2018 - Communications Relay Satellite
Chang'e 4 - 2018 - Lunar Farside Lander and Rover
Chang'e 5 - 2020 - Lunar Lander and Sample Return

Lunar Exploration Timeline
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NASA
Author/Curator:
Dr. David R. Williams, dave.williams@nasa.gov
NSSDCA, Mail Code 690.1
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
+1-301-286-1258


NASA Official: Dave Williams, david.r.williams@nasa.gov
Last Updated: 22 April 2024, DRW