Due to need for 'absolute success,' China delays critical Moon launch to 2027

China’s Manned Space program announced that the Chang’e 7 lunar mission will be postponed beyond this year’s launch window because it does not meet the agency’s “absolute success” criteria after a comprehensive assessment. The mission, comprising an orbiter, lander, rover and mini-hopper, was slated for a Long March 5 launch from Wenchang and aimed to land at the Moon’s south pole.