China delays Chang’e-7 lunar mission: Why the moon’s south pole matters

China's manned space agency said on Sunday (Aug 23) it is delaying a research moon mission that is part of Beijing's efforts to land a crew there by 2030. The agency said after a "comprehensive assessment" the mission, which involved sending the Chang'e-7 lunar probe on a Long March 5 carrier rocket, "does not meet launch conditions and cannot take place during the planned window this year". Clive Neal, professor of civil and environmental engineering and Earth sciences at the University of Notre Dame, tells CNA’s Asia First why the delay is less a setback than a sign of caution, and explains how Chang’e-7 could provide crucial “ground truth” about water ice at the lunar south pole – a resource that could help sustain future lunar bases and potentially be used to produce rocket fuel. Read more: https://cna.asia/45LBQR9

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