China’s Chang’e-7 mission to send flying robot to moon’s south pole to look for water

China plans to deploy a smart robotic “flying detector” to search for water on the lunar south pole as part of its Chang’e-7 mission next year – one step in the nation’s goal of landing humans on the moon in five years.

Chinese space experts revealed the plans for the flying robot in interviews with state broadcaster CCTV on Monday. They also confirmed the lunar mission would play a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for a future research station on the moon.

The Chang’e-7 mission will consist of an orbiter, a lander, a lunar rover and the flying detector. Upon landing, the rover, lander and detector will work together to carry out the most detailed survey of the moon’s south pole to date.

Tang Yuhua, deputy chief designer of the Chang’e-7 mission, described the flying detector as an “extremely smart robot”.

“It can land reliably and repeatedly on different slopes, much like how a human bends their legs when jumping from a height,” Tang said.

“Additionally, it uses leg trajectory planning and joint-driven movement to navigate the lunar surface.”