"China's Lunar Missions: Targeting Shackleton Crater and the Moon's South Pole"

China's upcoming Chang'e-7 mission aims to land on the illuminated rim of Shackleton crater near the lunar south pole in 2026, targeting a site with long periods of illumination and potential water-ice resources. The mission will include an orbiter, lander, rover, and mini-flying probe to investigate the lunar south pole's environment and resources, with the support of a communications relay satellite. The mission's science objectives include studying lunar morphology, composition, and structure, detecting lunar soil water ice and volatile components, and researching the moon's internal structure, magnetic field, and thermal characteristics. China is also seeking international cooperation for the mission and its plans to establish an International Lunar Research Base.