China’s postponement of its Chang’e 7 robotic lunar mission has been met with appreciation by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who raised alarms about potential territorial restrictions at the Moon’s South Pole. The delay pushes the launch of the ambitious project to early next year, following an unexplained schedule slip last month.
Speaking at the Off World conference in Houston on Wednesday evening, Isaacman highlighted the strategic implications of the revised timeline. He noted that both nations are targeting the same area near the Shackleton crater.
“We may have dodged a bullet with the Chang’e 7 mission a couple of weeks ago because that would have gone to the Shackleton crater,” Isaacman said, suggesting the delay provided a necessary buffer.
While much of the lunar surface is desolate, the South Pole region holds significant value for future exploration. The Shackleton crater, in particular, is considered prime real estate due to its permanently shadowed “cold traps.” These areas are believed to contain water ice and other valuable resources deposited over billions of years, making them critical targets for international space agencies.
Sounds like the US is already treating the Moon like a resource grab. Water ice at Shackleton crater is serious strategic territory.
Wow, NASA actually celebrating a rival’s delay? That is some bold diplomatic language coming from the top.