---
title: "Space power China to build ground stations on Antarctica to support satellites"
description: "BEIJING, Feb 2 (Reuters) - China, only the third country to put a man in space after the Soviet Union and United States, is to build ground stations on Antarctica to back its network of ocean monitoring satellites, state media said on Thursday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "SPACE RACE"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-02-space-power-china-to-build-ground-stations-on-antarctica-to-support-satellites/"
published: "2023-02-02T14:16:02"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 281
---

# Space power China to build ground stations on Antarctica to support satellites

> BEIJING, Feb 2 (Reuters) - China, only the third country to put a man in space after the Soviet Union and United States, is to build ground stations on Antarctica to back its network of ocean monitoring satellites, state media said on Thursday.

By Reuters · Published 2 February 2023, 16:16 SAST

## Key points
- China is expanding its global network of ground stations to support its growing number of satellites and outer space ambitions. Sweden's state-owned space company recently declined to renew contracts with China due to "changes" in geopolitics, while China Space News reported that the Chinese Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co. won a tender to build four ground stations at Antarctica's Zhongshan research base for 43.95 million yuan ($6.53 million). Despite assurances from China that these projects are for peaceful observation and spacecraft missions, neighbouring India has raised concerns about potential espionage activities. In October 2020, China launched the final module of its space station, making it the second permanently inhabited outpost in low-earth orbit after the International Space Station.
- China is building four ground stations at its Zhongshan research base in Antarctica, as part of broader initiatives to become a marine power.
- Sweden's state-owned space company declined to renew contracts with China or accept new Chinese business due to "changes" in geopolitics.
- A Chinese-built ground station in Argentina has sparked concerns about potential espionage.
- China launched the last of three modules of its space station in October 2020, becoming the second permanently inhabited outpost in low-earth orbit after the International Space Station.

## Content

China's global network of ground stations to support a growing number of satellites and outer space ambitions has drawn concern from some nations that it could be used for espionage, a suggestion China rejects.

In 2020, Sweden's state-owned space company, which had provided ground stations that helped fly Chinese spacecraft and transmit data, declined to renew contracts with China or accept new Chinese business due to "changes" in geopolitics.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co. is to build the stations at the Zhongshan research base, one of two permanent Chinese research stations on Antarctica, after winning the tender with its 43.95 million yuan ($6.53 million) bid, state-controlled China Space News reported.

No technical details of the project were given in the report, though China Space News published two accompanying illustrations of an artist's rendering that shows four ground stations at Zhongshan, located by Prydz Bay in East Antarctica, south of the Indian Ocean.

The project was part of broader initiatives aimed at building China's marine economy and turning China into a marine power, according to China Space News.

A Chinese-built ground station in Argentina's Patagonia has stirred concerns about its purpose despite China's assurance that the station's goal is peaceful space observation and spacecraft missions.

Last year, the docking of a Chinese military survey ship, which analysts say monitors launches of satellites, rockets and missiles, at Sri Lanka's Chinese-built port of Hambantota drew loud opposition from neighbouring [India](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL4N2ZY0YO&linkedFromStory=true) concerned about potential spying.

China in October launched the last of three modules of its [space station](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N31W0JX&linkedFromStory=true), which became the second permanently inhabited outpost in low-earth orbit after the NASA-led International Space Station.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Nick Macfie)