Hopping robot will hunt for moon water on China's Chang'e 7 lunar mission in 2026

China's Yutu 2 rover, as seen by the Chang'e 4 lander, on the far side of the moon.

China is preparing to launch a pioneering mission to the moon next year to search for definitive evidence of water at the lunar south pole.

The Chang'e 7 mission will consist of a lander, a rover and a mobile hopper, according to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua, and will launch sometime in 2026.