China delays Chang'e-7 moon mission over launch conditions

China has delayed the Chang'e-7 unmanned lunar probe after its manned space agency said the mission did not meet launch conditions for its planned launch window this year.

The agency said Sunday that the decision followed a “comprehensive assessment” and was based on prudence, reliability and mission success. It did not say what conditions were not met or when the launch would be rescheduled.

The mission, using a Long March 5 carrier rocket, is meant to search for water at the Moon’s south pole. Media reports had said it was due to launch over the weekend or on Monday.

Last week, the agency said the probe and rocket had been moved to the takeoff area at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province.

The delay comes less than two weeks after Xinhua reported an “anomaly” during a separate Long March 7A launch from Wenchang carrying the Zhongxing-4B communications satellite. Xinhua said the cause of that failure was under investigation.

China is aiming to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030.