China’s Tianwen-4 mission is aiming for a landing on Jupiter’s moon Callisto. A November 13, 2026 notice from the China National Space Administration (CNSA) lists three main objectives: orbit Jupiter, orbit Callisto and conduct landing exploration on the moon. Quite an itinerary to tuck into a call for paperwork. Source
SpaceNews reports that the payload call reveals a lander targeting Callisto. CNSA says the mission is intended to deepen scientific research into the Jupiter system, and it is soliciting proposals for the mission’s onboard equipment, or payloads. The agency plans to select payload designs and the institutions responsible for developing them through a competition. Source Source
Overseas institutions can join or lead proposals
CNSA encourages overseas research institutions both to join proposals led by Chinese institutions and to lead applications themselves. Overseas institutions are generally expected to cover the costs of their own development work, and they must comply with applicable Chinese and home-country laws. An invitation to take part, then, not a promise to pick up the tab. The notice does not announce any accepted international partnerships. Source
Proposals are due December 31, 2026
Proposals must reach the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center by December 31, 2026. The submission requirements include three paper copies and an electronic version on a compact disc. Deep-space ambitions, meet the disc drive. The notice sets out initial review, competitive assessment and comprehensive evaluation stages for the proposals. Source
CNSA’s notice gives no launch date or Callisto landing timetable. Source
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