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China's Chang'e 7 to attempt first direct landing at lunar south pole seeking water ice
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China's Chang'e 7 mission will attempt the first-ever direct landing at the moon's south pole to search for water ice in Shackleton Crater's permanently shadowed regions.
Water ice at the lunar poles could be converted into rocket fuel or drinking water, making it a strategic resource for both U.S. and Chinese plans to build crewed lunar outposts. A successful mission would position China as the leader in lunar surface science at a location no other nation has reached.
Written by elseif from the cluster below · every claim links back to a sourceThe three things worth knowing
Chang'e 7 targets Shackleton Crater at the lunar south pole, closer to the pole than any previous landing attempt.
The mission carries an orbiter, lander, rover, and a hopping robot to explore permanently shadowed craters where water ice may exist.
International partners are contributing equipment to the mission, reflecting China's expanding influence in space collaboration.
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