The third International Deep Space Exploration Conference in Hefei, Anhui Province on the Chinese mainland brought together global experts to map out the next frontier of the deep space economy. Against the backdrop of near-Earth asteroids, presenters explored how extraterrestrial resources will fuel new industries.
According to Shi Pingyan, chief engineer of China’s Deep Space Exploration Lab, the global deep space economy could hit trillion-dollar levels by 2040. Key drivers? Energy harvesting, internet services beyond Earth, asteroid tourism, and cultural creativity powered by smart tech.
Shi highlighted ten pivotal sectors set to shape this cosmic upturn: resource exploitation, space-based internet services, off-world energy, space biology, advanced transportation, AI-driven construction, orbital tourism, security solutions, and creative industries centered on space culture.
Moving from pure scientific research to market-ready applications, the Chinese mainland’s deep space programs aim to transform the aerospace industry. Industry leaders call for a blend of international cooperation, tech innovation, government guidance, and commercial investment to accelerate this growth.
With the conference’s theme “Near-Earth Asteroids,” discussions spanned asteroid detection, planetary defense, and resource utilization, underscoring a collaborative path toward unlocking the economic potential of the final frontier.
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Space conference in China unveils future trends of deep space economy
cgtn.com
