China’s fifth scientific outpost in Antarctica kicks off operations
CHINA’S fifth scientific outpost in the Antarctic, Qinling Station, was officially named and opened yesterday.
The Qinling Station is the third Chinese research base in Antarctica able to operate all year, hosting up to 80 people in the summertime and 30 during wintertime.
The new facility, constructed on the rocky, windswept Inexpressible Island near the Ross Sea of the Antarctic Ocean, utilizes an integrated spatial system and green technology given the unique environmental conditions at the site.
Spanning 5,244 square meters, the new station is designed in the shape of the Southern Cross constellation in honor of China’s legendary mariner Zheng He, who used the constellation for navigation during his voyages to the Western Seas.
It is sectioned into three areas with a central common room that serves dining and working purposes and connects to two summer living branches and laboratories on the ends. The winter dormitories are on the second floor of the center.
According to the architect, the interior design is highly integrated and was constructed in modules in China so they could be assembled on-site. The main building’s long axis is aligned with the prevailing wind direction. Portions of the ground floor are raised to prevent the accumulation of Antarctic snow.
“In this way, we take the least area to build the station and reduce its impact on the native landscape to the minimal,” architect Zhu He told China Media Group.
Building a scientific station in the Antarctic is like building in a no-man’s land. Therefore, each research station is equipped with a self-sufficient infrastructure. “It can support basic daily necessities, such as water supply and waste disposal,” Zhu said.
A helipad is under construction about 1 kilometer down from the station. Helicopters are essential for transporting goods and people to the station.
The area is also dedicated as an energy station for the facility. Two new energy sources, photovoltaic and wind power, are being tested there. Once completed, 60 percent of energy supply for the station will be provided by these two sources.
China has built four Antarctic research stations, spanning over 30 years of research.
Two other perennial stations, Changcheng and Zhongshan, were built in the late 1980s. Taishan and Kunlun are the two summer stations.
President Xi Jinping yesterday sent a congratulatory letter on the completion of the building of the Qinling Station and its operation in Antarctica.
(Agencies)