In recent years, the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone has made great efforts to promote the aerospace industry and achieved remarkable results.

A number of famous research institutes, innovative platforms, and major enterprises have settled into the zone, bringing it a strong momentum of growth. Among them, the Deep Space Exploration Lab has become a new landmark of Anhui's aerospace information industry.

Planting space seeds

An area in Cuona city in the southeast of Xizang autonomous region had long been barren due to low soil fertility, leaving weeds there unable to survive. However, the place witnessed significant change after being planted with "space seeds" developed by the Space Science and Technology Research Center of the Hefei high-tech zone. 

Leveraging breeding technologies developed in space, the center cultivated new forage varieties tailored for extreme climates, and carried out the experiment in Cuona. At present, the seeds are growing well, while the tests are achieving notable success.

He Qihuai, chief of the scientific research department of the center, said, "This kind of forage we planted on the wasteland at an altitude of 4,380 meters contains many characteristics such as cold tolerance, drought tolerance and high temperature tolerance. It can thrive in a region whether it's minus 40 degrees Celsius or 40 degrees Celsius."

Thanks to meticulous care, the experiment results met the expectation. "The results have proved that this kind of forage can adapt to the poor soil conditions in Cuona, bringing hope for improving the local ecological environment," he said.

Looking forward, the center will work with the local government to advance space breeding technologies, expand industries, as well as decelerate desertization in Xizang.

Exploring deep space

Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 satellites, named after Tiandu Peak, one of the main peaks of Huangshan Mountain in Anhui, were successfully launched in March. As the first two satellites developed by the Deep Space Exploration Lab, the satellites are expected to provide technical support for communication networks between Earth and the Moon.

Previously, Chaohu-1, Hefei High-tech No.1, and several satellites named after places in Anhui have been successfully launched. Tianqi Satellite in the Hefei high-tech Zone is set to launch a new satellite in August. It will complete the deployment and networking of all 38 satellites in its constellation, paving the way for the satellite network's global coverage.

During the past few years, the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone has attracted more than 50 major projects in aerospace information industry, with a total agreed investment of over 40 billion yuan. 

So far, the zone has gathered more than 120 enterprises in the aerospace information industry chain. An industrial spatial layout of "one core area, two secondary regions, and multiple places" has taken shape.

In the future, while driving industrial application and focusing on communication, navigation, and remote sensing satellites, the zone will strive to build a full-chain industrial ecosystem consisting of satellite constellation construction, core device research and development, terminal equipment manufacturing, cutting-edge technology exploration, aerospace new materials utilization, and data and software processing.

The endeavor will accelerate the integrated development of the industrial chain, and help the zone to become a world-class high-tech hub.