China's Chang'e-7 aims to unlock secrets of lunar water ice in shadowed craters

China's upcoming Chang'e-7 mission, expected to launch later this month, will deploy an orbiter, lander, rover, and a hopper to investigate water ice in the moon's permanently shadowed craters. The mission targets regions with temperatures below -200°C, where ice may have remained untouched for billions of years, but accessing these areas poses significant navigation challenges. The findings could determine whether future lunar explorers can rely on the moon's own resources for water and other supplies.