The aerospace sector is becoming a shining symbol of integrated technological innovation in the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone. From the immersive Digital Earth experience to breakthroughs in deep space exploration and urban air mobility, the zone is building a full-chain innovation ecosystem connecting R&D, commercialization, and scenario application.

In November 2021, Geovis Technology established its Digital Earth global headquarters in the zone. Currently, its GEOVIS Earth platform enables 3D mapping from 10,000-meter altitudes down to street-level views, all accessible with a click, revealing distant mountains, rivers, and forests in high definition.

Through targeted investment initiatives, the zone has attracted leading enterprises such as AIRSAT Technology Group and GALAXYSPACE over the last two years, forming a comprehensive aerospace industrial chain. By the first half of 2025, the zone had become home to over 140 aerospace enterprises and 11 research institutes, and turning into one of China's top regions in terms of complete industrial chains.

The zone also marked a milestone on July 7 with the inauguration of the International Deep Space Exploration Association – China's first deep space-focused international scientific organization and Anhui's first international institution. Since its establishment, the Deep Space Exploration Lab has been designated as a national key laboratory, contributing to lunar Phase IV and Mars exploration missions with groundbreaking achievements.

High-quality innovation resources remain the core driver. The zone collaborates with universities to establish five new R&D institutions, including the Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT)-Anhui Aerospace Research Institute, while gathering eight high-level platforms such as the Deep Space Exploration Lab and the Jianghuai Frontier Technology Coordination and Innovation Center.

These platforms have yielded significant progress. Earlier this year, the Jianghuai Center partnered with GALAXYSPACE in researching atmospheric detection technology, providing key support for China's environmental monitoring development.

Such achievements reflect the zone's successful integration of R&D and application. Leveraging its complete industrial chain and strong innovation capacity, the zone has incorporated aerospace technologies into eight major fields, including smart cities, NEVs, and ecological governance, creating over 60 demonstration scenarios that empower urban development. Currently, 19 applied scenarios are being deployed across Anhui, with 25 more being planned. These efforts are expected to generate approximately 200 million yuan ($28.04 million) in output value.

Looking forward, the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone will focus on expanding application scenarios and deepening the industrial ecosystem. Through coordinated planning and resource integration, the zone aims to build an internationally competitive aerospace technology hub, making the sector its signature future industry.