The Third International Deep Space Exploration Conference is held in Hefei, Anhui province, from Sept. 4 to 5. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Third International Deep Space Exploration Conference was held in Hefei, Anhui province, from Sept. 4 to 5. Organized by the Deep Space Exploration Lab, the conference gathered more than 400 guests from over 40 countries and regions.

At a sub-forum of this conference focusing on the space exploration industry, 10 major sectors representing the future trends of the industry were unveiled, including resource utilization, internet, energy, biology, transportation, smart technologies, construction, tourism, security, and cultural creativity.

The Deep Space Exploration Lab was jointly established by the China National Space Administration, Anhui province, and the University of Science and Technology of China in 2022 in the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone. 

In the past three years, the lab has achieved transformative growth, conducting global collaboration and making breakthroughs in lunar resource utilization, Mars exploration technologies, asteroid defense systems, among others.

Supported by the Deep Space Exploration Lab and other scientific research institutions, the Hefei high-tech zone has strengthened its industrial competitiveness through scientific and technological innovation. During the past few years, the zone has attracted a number of commercial space companies and major projects, and fostered 10 industrial clusters in strategic emerging industries such as deep space energy, space tourism, and aerospace information.

So far, more than 140 companies in the aerospace information industry chain have settled in the zone, accounting for over 90% of Hefei's total, including big names such as AIRSAT Technology Group and Guodian Gaoke Technology Co. Ltd. 

From scientific breakthroughs to industrial clusters, Hefei high-tech zone is committed to building a dynamic and promising deep space economy ecosystem. Looking forward, the zone is expected to become a core strategic national force and an internationally influential hub in deep space economy and industry development.