This undated file photo shows a researcher demonstrating the lunar 3D printing process at the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei, East China's Anhui province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Research capabilities of Hefei, Anhui province, are propelling China's deep-space endeavors, with the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) spearheading the integration of science, technology, engineering and industries to unlock new potential.
An increasing number of countries and commercial space entities are entering the dynamic arena of deep-space exploration, which includes the Moon — 380,000 kilometers from Earth — and beyond. The United States, through its Artemis program, aims to seize advantages in lunar resource development, while the European Union and others are advancing their own plans.
China's deep-space exploration efforts are about securing the nation's right to peacefully develop and utilize space, while stimulating emerging sectors.
Its deep-space exploration has evolved significantly, starting with Chang'e-1's lunar orbit and progressing through a series of soft landings, roving missions and the world's first sample return from the Moon's far side. This advancement has extended to interplanetary exploration with the successful Tianwen-1 mission to Mars.
