China's 'Chang'e 7' Moon Exploration Joined by Egypt and Bahrain

by Oh Suyon

Published 12 Jun.2024 16:23(KST)

On the 12th, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Egypt and Bahrain will participate in China's planned exploration of ice water at the lunar south pole in 2026.

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced that it signed an agreement the day before for the joint development of a hyperspectral camera between space agencies of Egypt and Bahrain and a Chinese company.

Chang'e 6

The hyperspectral camera is one of six international payloads to be carried on China's lunar probe "Chang'e" (嫦娥, the Moon Goddess Chang'e) 7. The CNSA explained that the hyperspectral camera will capture and analyze lunar surface materials, including the lunar polar regions, from orbit.

Previously, five payloads from Thailand, Russia, Italy, Switzerland, and the Hawaii-based NGO International Lunar Observatory Association in the United States were scheduled to be carried on Chang'e 7.

John Sheldon, co-founder of AstroAnalytica, explained that the participation of Middle Eastern countries in the Chang'e 7 lunar exploration is a training opportunity to develop the space capabilities of these countries, which are still in the early stages.

Egypt is a member of the China-Russia-led "International Lunar Research Station" (ILRS), which aims to build a lunar base by the mid-2030s. In contrast, Bahrain is a signatory of the U.S.-led "Artemis Accords" and is not part of the ILRS. Sheldon described Bahrain's participation as a matter of opportunity rather than a strategic calculation regarding U.S.-China relations.

Last month, during a state visit to Beijing by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Bahrain and China signed a memorandum of understanding on space cooperation. The two countries agreed to collaborate in areas including lunar and deep space exploration, satellite development and launch, remote sensing, space science research, joint observation of space debris, and personnel exchange and training.