China could beat the United States to become the first country to find water on the moon , with all international payloads already handed over for its next robotic lunar mission which is slated for launch in August.
Tang Yuhua, deputy chief designer for the Chang’e-7 mission, said the spacecraft’s development was progressing smoothly, with scientific instruments from six national partners and one NGO delivered to the China National Space Administration .
The instruments have been provided by China’s traditional partner Russia along with Egypt and a number of US space allies including Bahrain, Thailand, Italy and Switzerland, as well as Hawaii-based NGO the International Lunar Observatory Association.
The mission will focus on studying the environment and searching for water ice near the moon’s south pole – a vital resource for future crewed space exploration because of its potential to be converted into drinking water, breathable oxygen and even rocket fuel.
The Chang’e-7 spacecraft is the most complex ever built for China’s lunar programme, Tang told state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday. It would consist of an orbiter, lander, rover, hopper and a relay satellite, she said.
Wu Weiren, chief designer of the country’s lunar exploration programme, said Chang’e-7 was likely to touch down “at a spot with more than 100 days of continuous sunlight” – ideal for long-term operations.