The launch of China's Chang'e 7 lunar south pole probe was postponed due to weather conditions and other factors.
China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on the 23rd, citing the China Manned Space Agency, that Chang'e 7 did not meet launch conditions and therefore could not be launched at the originally scheduled time. Authorities said the decision was based on a comprehensive assessment with safety in mind.
Chang'e 7 plans to land near the Shackleton crater at the moon's south pole to explore the presence of water and ice. The Long March 5 Yao-14 carrier rocket carrying Chang'e 7 was erected vertically at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province on the 19th. Chang'e 7 and the carrier rocket arrived at the launch site in April and July, respectively, and have undergone assembly and testing.
A typhoon is being cited as the reason for the delay. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong, Thailand's National Astronomical Research Institute, which participated in developing scientific instruments to be loaded on Chang'e 7, mentioned the possibility that the launch would be delayed by Typhoon Nara, the 19th storm of the season. Hainan province authorities also issued a typhoon warning on the 22nd. Thailand's National Astronomical Research Institute said that if this window is missed, the next launch opportunity could be pushed back by more than a month.