Lunar Powers Race to Shackleton Crater for Water

U.S. and China plan 2026 missions to extract lunar water ice from permanently shadowed crater

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The U.S. and China are racing to land spacecraft near the Moon's Shackleton crater, a region that may harbor valuable water ice resources. Blue Origin plans to launch its MK1 cargo lander in early 2026 to validate its systems, while China's ambitious Chang'e 7 mission will deploy an orbiter, lander, rover, and hopper to the lunar south pole later this year. Whichever nation can first extract water ice from Shackleton crater will gain a strategic advantage in establishing a sustained lunar presence and enabling deep space exploration.

Why it matters

The prospect of extracting water from the Moon is seen as a game-changer, as it could support a permanent lunar base and enable in-space rocket fuel production, turning the Moon into a potential pit stop for deep space missions. Whoever can claim this resource first will secure a first-mover advantage and potentially set industry standards for lunar water extraction.

The details

Blue Origin's MK1 lander is designed to carry up to 3 tons of cargo to the lunar surface and will launch aboard the company's New Glenn rocket. It will touch down near Shackleton crater to validate its systems before carrying NASA's VIPER rover to the lunar south pole in 2027. Meanwhile, China's Chang'e 7 mission will deploy an orbiter, lander, rover, and hopper to the same region, potentially giving China a head start of at least a year in the hunt for lunar water ice.

  • Blue Origin plans to launch the MK1 lander in early 2026.
  • China's Chang'e 7 mission is scheduled to launch in August 2026.

The players

Blue Origin

An American aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, developing reusable launch vehicles and other space technologies.

China National Space Administration

The national space agency of China, responsible for the country's space program and lunar exploration missions.

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

Dave Limp

The CEO of Blue Origin.

VIPER

The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, a NASA mission to search for water ice and other resources at the lunar south pole.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Blue Origin's MK1 lander will undergo final assembly, engine installation, and integration with the New Glenn rocket before its launch in early 2026. China's Chang'e 7 mission is on track to launch in August 2026.

The takeaway

The race to extract lunar water ice from the Shackleton crater represents a high-stakes geopolitical competition, with the first nation to succeed potentially gaining a strategic advantage in establishing a sustained presence on the Moon and enabling deep space exploration.