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HEFEI, China, Sept. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On September 3, the 2026 Deep Space Exploration (Tiandu) International Conference opened in Hefei. Themed “Sustainable Deep Space Exploration: Opportunities and Challenges,” the conference brings together global aerospace wisdom to jointly plan the future of deep space exploration.
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A series of significant cooperation agreements and unveiling ceremonies took place during the opening ceremony. The Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) unveiled the Moon Village Center – China and four joint laboratories in collaboration with the Moon Village Association, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade, Xi’an Jiaotong University, and Sinosteel Maanshan General Institute of Mining Research Co., Ltd. Strategic cooperation agreements were also signed with Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd and Publishing House of Electronics Industry.
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Furthermore, the International Deep Space Exploration Association (IDSEA) signed memorandums of understanding with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency. Certificates of membership were awarded to representatives of 15 new member units. The inaugural issue of the international academic journal Deep Space Exploration was released at the event. Wu Weiren, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, chairman of the IDSEA, and director of the DSEL, presented his new book, Interstellar Navigation and Exploration, to institutions including the University of Science and Technology of China.
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In his keynote address titled “Deep Space Exploration: Trends, Frontiers, and Challenges,” Wu Weiren systematically reviewed the development history and future trends of deep space exploration. He provided an in-depth analysis of the new characteristics of current developments and proposed a frontier technology system and development roadmap to address the extreme environmental challenges of deep space.
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The main forum was moderated by Shi Pingyan, Executive Director of the DSEL.
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Prominent experts delivered thematic reports on key scientific and technological issues. Wang Chi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and director of the National Space Science Center of CAS, addressed major scientific questions in planetary exploration. Hou Zengqian, another CAS academician and director of the National Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Exploration and Mineral Resources Survey at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, discussed the Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission. Gui Haichao, a professor at Beihang University and astronaut of the Shenzhou-16 crew, elaborated on key orbital issues for sustainable exploration in the Earth-Moon space. Liu Jian, Vice President of LandSpace, shared progress on the development and recovery of the Zhuque-3 reusable launch vehicle.
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International guests also shared their research findings. Donald Dingwell, President of the Academia Europaea and Chief Scientist at Beihang University, discussed the engineering geological basis of the lunar surface. Ulpia-Elena Botezatu, Co-Chair of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) Action Team on Lunar Activities, updated attendees on the latest progress of the team. Maram Kairé, Director-General of the Senegal Space Agency, presented on space exploration using stellar occultation.