China has outlined ambitious plans to push the boundaries of lunar exploration by preparing a mission to the far side of the Moon in 2024. According to senior figures in the country’s deep space program, the project is spearheaded by Wu Yanhua, a prominent designer who has been at the forefront of China’s growing capabilities in space science. This bold goal fits into a broader, multi mission roadmap that aims to deepen humanity’s understanding of the lunar surface and establish new platforms for scientific discovery on and around the Moon.
Wu Yanhua confirmed that the Magpie Bridge 2 relay satellite will be launched in tandem with the Chang’e-6 lunar lander mission, which is expected to depart for the Moon in May 2024. The synchronization of these sophisticated assets illustrates a deliberate strategy to ensure continuous communication with lunar assets as they travel to and operate on distant terrains. Beyond Chang’e-6, China has outlined a sequence of next steps that includes the Chang’e-7 mission targeting the Moon’s South Pole, a region of particular interest due to its potential for containing volatile compounds and ancient geology. In a phased progression, the program envisions further expansion with Chang’e-8, slated to launch in 2028, reinforcing China’s commitment to a persistent, well-integrated lunar exploration architecture that can support long-duration missions and sustained scientific inquiry.
The Chinese scientific community emphasizes that the Chang’e-7 mission is not an isolated expedition but a foundational element intended to underpin the development of a lunar research base. This base is envisioned as a hub for multidisciplinary studies, enabling researchers to conduct in situ experiments, collect samples for analysis, and test technologies that could be critical for future crewed missions. By linking orbital relays, landers, and surface rovers within a cohesive logistics and data framework, China aims to turn near-term robotic exploration into enduring presence on and around the Moon, while advancing international collaboration in space science and technology development.
In the broader context of international space programs, Sergey Krikalev, a veteran from Roscosmos who has held leadership roles in manned space initiatives, has discussed the possibility of joint Russian involvement in forthcoming lunar endeavors with China. His remarks point to a future where collaboration could extend beyond research sharing to coordinated mission planning and data exchange. Such partnerships would allow the combined expertise of both nations to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of lunar environments, supporting not only robotic operations but the groundwork for potential crewed missions in the long term. The idea of shared data from a joint lunar station project could inform design choices, mission architectures, and safety protocols, ultimately enriching the global knowledge base and expanding the scope of international cooperation in space exploration.
Together, these developments reflect a dynamic era of lunar science where state-led programs are increasingly interwoven with cross-border collaboration and shared scientific goals. As missions unfold in the coming years, researchers, policymakers, and industry partners will be watching how the interplay between orbital relays, landers, and surface operations evolves. The long-term vision includes building robust facilities on or near the Moon that can host sustained scientific activity, facilitate resource assessment, and test technologies for living and working beyond Earth. While the timelines may shift as technology and funding considerations evolve, the underlying trajectory remains clear: a persistent effort to explore, understand, and eventually inhabit the Moon through a coherent sequence of missions, international partnerships, and scalable infrastructure that pushes the frontier of human exploration forward.