The 21st-century return to the Moon — robotic landers and orbiters from China, India, Japan, and commercial providers mapping resources, studying geology, and preparing for human return.
Last updated: · · Sources: NASA, CNSA, ISRO, JAXA
After decades of relative quiet following the Apollo and Luna programmes, the Moon has become the most contested destination in space exploration. Since 2007, a wave of robotic missions from China, India, Japan, and commercial operators has reshaped lunar science and begun the groundwork for sustained human presence.
China's Chang'e programme has achieved a series of firsts: the first landing on the lunar far side (Chang'e 4, 2019), the first robotic sample return since 1976 (Chang'e 5, 2020), and the first samples from the far side (Chang'e 6, 2024). India's Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed near the south pole in August 2023, making India the fourth country to soft-land on the Moon. Japan's SLIM lander achieved a precision landing in January 2024, touching down within 55 metres of its target.
Commercial lunar landers are also beginning to reach the surface. Under NASA's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) programme, companies like Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace are delivering science instruments and technology demonstrations. Intuitive Machines' Odysseus (IM-1) became the first commercial spacecraft to land on the Moon in February 2024.
| Mission | Agency/Company | Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chang'e 3 / Yutu | CNSA | 2013 | First soft landing since 1976, Yutu rover operated 31 months |
| Chang'e 4 / Yutu-2 | CNSA | 2019 | First landing on the lunar far side, rover still active |
| Chandrayaan-2 | ISRO | 2019 | Orbiter successful, Vikram lander crashed on descent |
| Chang'e 5 | CNSA | 2020 | First robotic sample return since 1976 (1.73 kg) |
| Chandrayaan-3 | ISRO | 2023 | Successful south pole landing — India 4th to soft-land |
| SLIM | JAXA | 2024 | Precision landing (55 m accuracy), operated on lunar surface |
| Odysseus (IM-1) | Intuitive Machines | 2024 | First commercial Moon landing (tipped on side, partial success) |
| Chang'e 6 | CNSA | 2024 | First far-side sample return (1.94 kg) |