Observation Mission and Scientific Calibration of the International Lunar Observatory Camera (ILO-C) on Chang’E-7

The Moon provides a unique and advantageous platform for astronomical observations, particularly in the visible and ultraviolet wavelength ranges, owing to its extremely tenuous exosphere, the absence of atmospheric turbulence, and a stable surface environment. These characteristics enable long-duration, continuous observations free from atmospheric interference. As one of the international payloads aboard the Chang’E-7 mission, the International Lunar Observatory Camera (ILO-C) project aims to exploit these advantages to observe the Milky Way and the broader universe from a distinctive lunar perspective. In addition to its scientific objectives, the project offers unique value for astronomy education and serves as a technology demonstration for future lunar-based astronomical observatories. The ILO-C camera will be mounted on the +y panel of the Chang’E-7 lander and will experience multiple mission phases, including cruise, lunar orbit, and surface operations. This paper systematically investigates the scientific calibration workflow for the ILO-C across these mission phases, with particular emphasis on fundamental calibration, color calibration, and flux calibration, and further presents observational and calibration pathways for cross-validation. The quality of the project’s scientific output will largely depend on the optimized implementation of these calibration schemes. Ideally, in-flight activation and observations are expected to be achieved, allowing coverage of a broader sky area and enabling cross-comparison with observations from other space-based and ground-based astronomical facilities.