Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited China to observe the planned launch of the Chang’e-7 lunar exploration mission, but the mission has been postponed after Chinese authorities determined that launch conditions were not suitable this year.
Princess Sirindhorn arrived at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Hainan province on 23 August and was scheduled to observe the launch from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site.
China’s China Manned Space Agency decided to postpone the launch following a comprehensive assessment, citing the need to prioritize safety, reliability and careful preparation. The mission did not meet the required launch conditions and therefore could not proceed during this year’s launch window.
The Chang’e-7 mission is particularly challenging because it aims to land near the Moon’s south pole, where suitable launch windows are narrower than those for many other lunar missions.
After arriving at her residence, Princess Sirindhorn was briefed by Thai officials and representatives from the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand and Mahidol University on the mission’s progress and the postponement.
She subsequently offered encouragement to the Thai scientists and researchers involved in the mission.
Thailand is contributing scientific equipment known as Chang’e-7 MAC, designed to measure cosmic radiation and high-energy particles from the Sun. Officials confirmed that the Thai instrument remains stable and has not deteriorated despite the postponement and extended storage period.
The Chang’e-7 mission is part of China’s broader lunar exploration program and is designed to study the Moon’s south polar region.