China plans to launch a flying robot as part of its Chang’e 7 mission next year to search for frozen water on the moon, a crucial resource for future lunar exploration. This mission follows previous discoveries of water by Chinese scientists and others, though the focus is now on locating ice believed to be deep within craters at the moon’s South Pole. The findings could help sustain human life on the moon and are part of China’s broader goal of establishing a research base there.
The Chang’e 7 mission, set for 2026, will involve various instruments including orbiters, landers, rovers, and the flying robot, which will analyze the position and distribution of ice in extremely cold, dark areas. This mission is viewed as a significant step toward future manned lunar missions, with China aiming to land astronauts by 2030. The success of the flying robot will face challenges due to the harsh conditions on the moon, but it represents China’s ambition in space exploration, competing with nations like the U.S. for scientific advancement and resources.
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