On the afternoon of April 24th, the plenary of the 2024 China Space Conference, co-hosted by CSA and the China Space Foundation, convened. The theme of this Conference is "Look Afar to Cosmos and Join Together for Space", with over 40 academic, industrial, educational, science popularization and cultural events organized. More than 700 papers have been collected. Leading space figures from both China and abroad attended the conference.

 

Representatives from the Hubei Provincial Government, CNSA, CAST, CASC, CASIC, and IAF attended the plenary and delivered the opening remarks.

Mr. Peng Yong from the Hubei Provincial Government stated in his opening remarks that Hubei has built the first commercial space industry base in China. It has rapidly developed in the fields of launch vehicles, satellite research and development, manufacturing, and applications Hubei has the confidence, foundation and conditions to build a commercial space innovation and development highland with national influence.

 

Mr. Li Guoping from CNSA expressed in his opening remarks that the Chinese government has long attached great importance to the development of space endeavors. To accelerate the development of China's space industry, CNSA will persist in driving development through innovation strategies, continuously enhancing capabilities in entering, exploring, and utilizing space. It will strive to create a favorable policy environment to speed up the development of commercial space, and deepen international exchanges and cooperation to build a community with a shared future of mankind in space.

 

Ms Luo Hui from CAST said in her opening remarks that as the most influential comprehensive conference in China's space field, the China Space Conference plays a very important role in promoting dialogue and exchanges within the space science community, advancing open cooperation in space science and technology, and fostering innovative development in space science and technology. We hope to build a community with a shared future for mankind under the guidance of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to drive industrial upgrades with scientific and technological innovation, accelerating the formation of new productivity in the field of space science and technology and to promote an open, inclusive space science and technology innovation ecosystem by enhancing openness, trust, and cooperation among space community.

Mr. Fang Xiangming from CASC stated in his opening remarks that the theme of this year's conference, "Look Afar to Cosmos and Join Together for Space", reflects that the development of space requires our concerted and joint effort. CASC will take this opportunity to strengthen cooperation between state-owned enterprises and local governments, accelerate the layout of the entire space industry chain and breakthroughs in core technologies, and better meet national strategic needs and market demands.

Mr. Huang Xingdong from CASIC stated in his opening remarks that CASIC is focusing on breaking through core technologies and strengthening the construction of strategic scientific and technological forces to solidly support the enhancement of national strategic capabilities. It is accelerating breakthroughs in commercial space technologies and products, guiding various resources towards the aerospace sector with "Space +".

Mr.Christian Feichtinger from IAF stated in his opening remarks that as one of the world's most important spacefaring nations, China has achieved globally recognized accomplishments in the fields of space technology, space science, and space applications. The China Space Conference is increasingly attracting attention from international counterparts, offering a great platform for global space professionals to engage in academic discussions, building a unique bridge to promote international space cooperation, and pulling up an effective bond to foster unity and assistance.

During the Conference, Mr.Wang Wei, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences from CASC, released the 2024 Scientific and Technological Challenges in Astronautics, including: Gravity Field Effects in Extraterrestrial Resources Utilization, Mesoscale Dynamics of Extraterrestrial Celestial Bodies, Mechanisms and Methods for Manipulating Charged Particles in Space, In-situ Utilization Technology of Carbon Dioxide for Manned Deep Space Missions on Mars, System Design and Key Technologies of Ice Giant Exploration Mission, Construction Technology of Lunar-based Square Kilometer Antenna Array for Radio Astronomical Observation, The Construction and Operation Technology of the Space Computing Center, Intelligent Flexible Landing Technology for Exploration and Exploitation of Small Celestial Bodies, Technologies for Industrial Application of Aerospace Remote Sensing Foundation Models, and Rapid Evaluation and Verification Technology for Reusable Rockets.

 

At the conference, six high-level keynote reports were made by experts from China and abroad, engaging in enthusiastic interactions with the audience.

 

Mr.Wu Weiren, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivered a cutting-edge report titled "International Lunar Research Station and China's Deep Space Exploration", focusing on China's key tasks in deep space exploration and the latest plans for constructing an international lunar research station.

 

Mr. Li Deren, an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, shared the latest scientific and technological achievements and application prospects in the construction of intelligent remote sensing constellations under the title "On Space-Ground Interconnected Intelligent Remote Sensing Satellites and Applications—From the Luojia Series Satellites to the Oriental Smart Eye Constellation".

 

Mr. Jean-Yves Le Gall, former president of IAF, proposed constructive ideas for continuing to build a peaceful and stable space order under future international circumstances in his report titled "New World Space Order".

 

Mr.Gan Weiqun, a researcher at the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, detailed the research status, achievements, and future development prospects of "Kuafu-1", China's comprehensive solar space exploration project, in his report titled " Comprehensive Space Solar Observation in China—ASO-S (Kuafu-1) and its Early Achievements".

 

Mr.Sergey Savelyev from Roscosmos talked about the achievements and future development plans of the Russian aerospace industry in his report "Russia's Rocket and Space Industry: Creating the Future".

 

Mr. Cheng Jin from CASIC presented a report on "Development of Artificial Intelligence Technology and Its Empowerment in Aerospace", introducing how artificial intelligence provides technical support and solutions for the development of space science and technology, which will bring more innovative momentum and development opportunities to space in the future.

 

Since 2018, the China Space Conference has been held annually during Space Day of China. It has been successfully held in Harbin, Changsha, Fuzhou, Nanjing, Haikou, and Hefei for six times.,It has became a professional, comprehensive, and international event with wide influence, and has been selected into the CAST Top Academic Conference List for five consecutive years.