Chang'e Lunar Program
China's systematic lunar exploration program. Chang'e 5 returned 1.73 kg of lunar samples in 2020 — first sample return since 1976. Chang'e 6 made history in Jun 2024 by returning the first-ever samples from the Moon's far side (South Pole-Aitken Basin). Chang'e 7 and 8 are planned to survey the south pole and test in-situ resource utilization for a future International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
Budget
Estimated $2B+ cumulative
Timeline
2007–2030s
Key Milestones
Chang'e 5 — returned 1.73 kg of lunar soil from nearside
2020
Chang'e 6 — first-ever sample return from Moon's far side (1.9 kg)
2024 — Jun
Chang'e 7 — south pole survey orbiter/rover/hopper package
2026
Chang'e 8 — ISRU technology test, 3D printing with lunar regolith
2028
International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) Phase 1 construction begins
2030
Contractors
Sources
- cnsa.gov.cn
- spacenews.com