China hits snag in race to beat US to moon's south pole

ScienceChang'e 7 lunar probe mission postponed for rest of yearThe Chang'e-7 lunar probe and rocket are transferred to the launching area at Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in China's Hainan province on Aug. 19. © Xinhua via APSHUNSUKE TABETASeptember 2, 2026 05:13 JSTBEIJING -- China's decision to delay an ambitious mission to land on the south pole of the moon may hand the U.S. some breathing space in the increasingly competitive race to access water resources on the lunar surface.Read NextLatest on Science