China Arctic/Antarctic Science, Technology and Industry: News & Discussions

[JSCh]

China and Iceland forge a shared future with Aurora Observatory
By Karen Graham 6 hours ago in World

In a remote valley in northern Iceland, close to the Arctic Circle, China and Iceland are constructing a research facility to study the Northern Lights, space weather, and other upper atmosphere phenomena.

The Aurora Observatory is a joint venture between Icelandic and Chinese research institutions. An agreement was signed on August 17, 2012, in Reykjavik, Iceland, with the Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS) signing on behalf of Iceland and the Polar Research Institute of China signing on behalf of Chinese scientists. It is expected that Chinese scientists and other international scientists conducting research will be staying at the facility for extended periods of time. The Aurora Observatory's observations are expected to add to the already existing aurora observations done in Iceland and internationally, says the Aurora Observatory website.

#Karholl​

CTV News notes that the structure going up in Karholl is a "concrete" achievement in the growing relationship between the Asian superpower and the tiny island nation. And it might seem like a strange relationship. Some may wonder why China, a country of 1.37 billion people would be interested in Iceland, with a population of 330,000. But there is a much bigger reason behind the joint-venture in building the observatory. China's ambitions in the Arctic As far back as 2010, when Linda Jakobson in her report for the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute discussed China's growing interest in the Arctic, there has been a great deal of speculation concerning China's ambitions in the North.

Karholl is in an isolated valley in the north of Iceland. Karholl​

Neither China or Japan have territorial access to the region, yet China has already started using the Northwest Passage as a shipping route to Europe. But there is much more at stake, and by joining in a cooperative friendship with Iceland, the two countries are in essence, rubbing each other's backs. Because of climate change, China needs an Arctic ally like Iceland who will side with them as new sea routes open up and perhaps more importantly, be open to allowing mineral and petroleum extraction in the Arctic. Iceland's reasons for the unlikely partnership Just like many other countries around the world have done, Iceland has grasped the hand of friendship that China has extended, knowing they will have a strong friend to depend on in times of economic stress.

Construction of the Aurora Observatory started in 2014 and is expected to be completed in early 2017. Karholl​

"It is better to be a friend to everyone when you are small than be an enemy to anybody," said Reinhard Reynisson, director of the nonprofit company building the Aurora Observatory, according to CNBC. Yes, Iceland may be a small country, but since it was settled by the Vikings in the 9th century, the island nation has weathered earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, famine, and financial meltdown. And that says a lot for the strength of the Icelandic people. This is why China's interest in their country has drawn suspicion among many Icelanders, leaving them to wonder what the superpower really wants — is it their land, or perhaps their fish or energy resources? "We are a very small country, we are only 300,000 people, so we don't look at our independence as an automatic thing," said Asgeir Jonsson, an economist at the University of Iceland, reports Phys.Org. "It's something that you have to protect and look after."

The south entrance to the observatory. Karholl​

But financial calamity forced the two countries to become friends after the global credit crunch hit in 2008. Iceland's banks collapsed, its currency dropped to nothing, unemployment was rampant, forcing Iceland to go to the International Monetary Fund and the European Union for bailouts. They also began actively looking for new economic partners to help in the bailout. China was the one to extend a helping hand. In 2010, the two countries agreed to currency swaps, and in 2013, they signed a free trade agreement, the first between China and a European country. These agreements have given China access to a number of important decision-making processes in the Arctic.

All in all, China has made a big move in taking Iceland under its wing, and we will certainly be hearing more from both countries in the near future.


China and Iceland forge a shared future with Aurora Observatory

China-Iceland Arctic Science Observatory inaugurated in northern Iceland
Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-19 00:15:55|Editor: Yang Yi

Photo taken on Oct. 18, 2018 shows the China-Iceland Arctic Science Observatory located at Karholl, some 66 km east of Akureyri in northern Iceland. The China-Iceland Arctic Science Observatory was inaugurated and officially began operation on Thursday in northern Iceland. (Xinhua/Li Bin)

OSLO, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The China-Iceland Arctic Science Observatory was inaugurated and officially began operation on Thursday in northern Iceland.

The observatory, which is located at Karholl, some 66 km east of Akureyri in northern Iceland, is a joint project by Chinese and Icelandic research institutions to further the scientific understanding on Arctic phenomena.

Currently, the observatory can accommodate 15 people in a work/live facility for research on various scientific studies, such as aurora, atmosphere, glacier and remote sensing.

With some modifications, parts of the observatory can also be used for research in other scientific fields, such as oceanography, geophysics and biology.

In 2013, the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) and the Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS) decided to jointly build an aurora observatory.

The Chinese institute proposed in 2017 to upgrade the aurora observatory to the China-Iceland Arctic Science Observatory that will enable not just aurora observations, but also research on atmosphere, oceanography, glacier, geophysics, remote sensing and biology. The Icelandic side has voiced its full support for the proposal.

The Arctic observatory will help China in its polar research as the country has already set up four research stations in Antarctica and one Arctic research station on Svalbard, Norway.

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[JSCh]

China to build its first Antarctic airport in November
By Gong Zhe
2018-10-28 22:10 GMT+8

Chinese researchers have planed to start building an airport in Antarctica in November.​

The Chinese are not very used to flying to the southernmost continent, because the country's first polar plane, the Xueying (or Snow Eagle) 601, was put into use only three years ago.

Before Xueying 601, Chinese researchers took the Xuelong ship to the ice-covered land, on a trip that takes significantly longer than flying.

There are currently more than 20 airports in Antarctica, but none of them belong to China. The Xueying 601 has to rely on Russian airports to take off and land, which can be difficult to coordinate.

That's why the Chinese researchers decided to build their own, according to reports from Chinese newspaper Science Daily.

Difficulties

Building an airport in Antarctica is very different from building one elsewhere.

The continent is covered by a constantly moving layer of ice, so the builders must find somewhere that moves at the slowest possible pace and in a fixed direction.

The builders managed to find a spot back in early 2017 following a tough measuring process that took place in the storm-like polar winds.

The next problem is the snow. The soft nature of snow makes it a bad material for a runway. So the builders must use a road roller-like machine to compact the snow, which can be very time-consuming in extreme coldness.

The builders intend to set off on November 2 and the building should start later the same month.

(Top photo: The Xueying 601 polar plane lands at China's Kunlun Station in Antarctica on Jan. 8, 2017. /CCTV Photo)

 

[JSCh]

Sino-Russian expedition provides Arctic data
By Xie Chuanjiao | China Daily | Updated: 2018-10-31 09:12

A researcher conducts an oceanographic survey during the joint China-Russia Arctic expedition. [Provided to China Daily]

A recently concluded China-Russia joint Arctic expedition has yielded a more comprehensive and systematic understanding of the Arctic Ocean that will provide scientific support for the development of a Polar Silk Road, scientists from the two countries said on Tuesday.

Eleven Chinese researchers and 19 Russians participated in the second joint Sino-Russia Arctic expedition, which started in Russia's eastern port of Vladivostok on Sept 6. After overcoming extreme weather and traveling 12,000 kilometers, they returned to the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on Oct 21.

The 46-day expedition was jointly organized by the Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, based in Qingdao, Shandong province, and the Russian Academy of Sciences Pacific Oceanological Institute.

Scientists from both countries carried out multidisciplinary surveys during the expedition, including ocean geology, hydrometeorology, chemistry and biodiversity as well as obtained a host of specimens and data from the atmosphere, seawater and sediment.

"All these provide the basics to study the ocean environment, biology, ecology and climate change," said Hu Limin, the expedition's chief scientist on the Chinese side.

Hu said the expedition acquired some data about hydrometeorology along the Northeast Passage, a shipping route connecting Northeast Asia with Western Europe.

In July 2017, Russia and China agreed to carry out cooperation on the Northern Sea Route and jointly build a Polar Silk Road.

The Polar Silk Road via the Arctic is widely seen as the third arc of the Belt and Road Initiative, adding another sea route beyond the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, Africa-Mediterranean and South Pacific-Oceania.

An optical profiler developed by the Qingdao lab played a big role in the observation of the Northeast Passage and obtained firsthand data about fog, snow and low clouds during rapid weather changes, said Zhao Jinping, a veteran scientist of Arctic studies who is also involved in this expedition.

Anatolii Astakhov, deputy director of Russia's Pacific Oceanological Institute, said the Northern Sea Route holds interest for both countries.

He said the specimens and data would be transported to both countries' research institutions for further study and added that he hoped the research results would be published in top scientific periodicals.

The first China-Russia joint Arctic expedition took place in 2016, and the Qingdao lab signed a letter of intent to cooperate with the Russian Academy of Sciences P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology a month ago.

Cooperation with Russian scientists is part of the Qingdao lab's efforts to deepen international cooperation and develop a global innovation network, said Pan Kehou, secretary-general of the Qingdao lab's academic committee.

Currently, the lab is in partnership with top oceanographic research forces in the United States, Australia and Germany to establish joint research centers, Pan said.

xiechuanjiao@chinadaily.com

 

[JSCh]

China-made generator with nonstop power to boost polar research
By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2018/10/30 21:23:40

Aerial photo taken on April 21 shows China's research icebreaker Xuelong berthing at a dock in Shanghai, east China. China's research icebreaker Xuelong finished the country's 34th Antarctic expedition and returned to Shanghai on Saturday. The expedition began on November 8, 2017 and covered a voyage of 38,000 nautical miles. Photo:Xinhua

China's first domestically made portable generator capable of providing power unattended in the polar region will soon be delivered to a Chinese research station in Antarctica, with an expert saying that the use of the generator will not only boost China's Antarctic research, but also help secure China's interests there.

The generator, independently developed by Southeast University in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province will be brought by China's research icebreaker Xuelong to the Antarctic in November during the country's 35th Antarctic expedition, according to a statement the university released on its WeChat account on Monday.

It can provide nonstop electricity, making it the first of its kind in China, the university said.

Shaped like a container, the generator will be placed in China's Taishan Station, which is located in the heart of the Antarctic 2,600 meters above sea level. The annual average temperature is -36.6 C, the statement said.

Dong Yue, a research fellow at the Polar Research Institute of the Ocean University of China, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the Taishan Station is very close to the South Pole, and its observation area and tasks assigned have significant meaning to China's strategic interests in the region.

With sufficient power supply, researchers can undertake more activities, which will support the nation's presence in the Antarctic, Dong said.

The generator is expected to provide nonstop power supply throughout the year, the statement said.

It will help the station conduct monitoring missions and communicate with the control center in China through satellites without researchers physically present in the harsh environment, it said.

Experiences in using the generator at the Taishan Station will be used for future deployments in other polar research stations, Dong said.

The generator consists of a power generation chamber and an apparatus chamber. It carries four power generation units and is capable of storing up to six tons of fuel, the university said.

China's 35th Antarctic expedition will leave on Friday, hoping to build the country's first permanent airport in the South Pole, Beijing-based newspaper Science and Technology Daily reported on Monday.

 

[JSCh]

Chinese expedition team to install laser radar in Antarctica for upper atmosphere research
By Ji Yuqiao Source:Global Times Published: 2018/11/14 20:07:36

Snow Eagle 601 overlooks Zhongshan Station on January 1, 2018. Photo: Xinhua

A Chinese expedition team will install laser radar at the Zhongshan Station in East Antarctica to fill in the gaps of the country's research about upper atmosphere in the polar area.

Huang Wentao, researcher of the Polar Research Institute of China, said that the research team will install laser radar during the 35th expedition in the Antarctic summer, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday.

Huang noted that the laser radar can keep up 24-hour observation under clear weather conditions, which will improve Chinese analysis of the upper atmosphere.

"The laser radar is an instrument which detects the temperature of the upper atmosphere as well as wind speed and direction," Zhang Xia, director of the Polar Strategy Center at the Polar Research Institute of China, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

An insider familiar with laser technology told the Global Times on condition of anonymity that the laser radar has high accuracy and resolution ratio. When used in measuring distance and transmitting information, it is free from outside disturbance.

The Chinese expedition team plans to complete the assembly of the radar's observation cabin and test its application to prepare for winter observation, Huang said.

According to Xinhua, the location of the Zhongshan Station is ideal to research the upper atmosphere of the polar region, which is a blind spot in China's Antarctica observation.

China's 35th Antarctic expedition team onboard the research icebreaker Xuelong, also known as Snow Dragon, began their journey at a harbor in Shanghai on November 2, claiming earlier that the major task was to build the first permanent airport for future Chinese Antarctic expeditions, the Science and Technology Daily reported on October 29.

 

[Skull and Bones]

I always thought about a small aeroponic/aquaponic farm in harsh environment in Antarctica, where scientist can live in a sustainable way all year round.

 

[JSCh]

China's research icebreaker Xuelong arrives in Zhongshan station in Antarctica
Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 22:30:35|Editor: Li Xia


China's research icebreaker Xuelong arrives at the roadstead off the Zhongshan station in Antarctica, Dec. 1, 2018. The research team has carried out unloading work by using the helicopter. Xuelong carrying a research team set sail from Shanghai on Nov. 2, beginning the country's 35th Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

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[JSCh]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1070261517013213186

Global Times‏Verified account @globaltimesnews
China's research icebreaker Xuelong, also known as the Snow Dragon, is now 44 kilometers away from the Zhongshan station. Unloading operations have been carried out after the routes were determined. http://bit.ly/2AR71vr

6:20 PM - 5 Dec 2018

 

[TaiShang]

China to build platform for Arctic environment remote sensing

CGTN
2018-12-13 21:26 GMT+8

China has launched a project to build a platform of collaborative research on the Arctic environment using remote sensing and numerical models, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Thursday.

The project, led by the Aerospace Information Research Institute of CAS, is aimed at stably and efficiently obtaining and processing observation data recorded by satellites and field stations.

The online cloud platform will provide open access to ice, ocean, land and atmosphere data concerning Arctic science and research, said Professor Li Xiaoming with the Aerospace Information Research Institute.

A numerical model works by predicting atmosphere and ocean conditions based on complex mathematical calculations, introduced by Li.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d3d514f34676a4d31457a6333566d54/share_p.html

 

[JSCh]

China’s Antarctic expedition team discovers site for blue ice airport
By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2018/12/17 14:20:47

Location may allow strategic transport aircraft Y-20 to operate

Aerial photo taken on Dec. 5, 2018 shows China's research icebreaker Xuelong in Antarctica. China's 35th Antarctic research expedition team finished the first phase of unloading supplies operation on Friday. A total of 1,605 tons of supplies have been transported from China's research icebreaker Xuelong to the destination. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

A Y-20 transport plane shows off its capabilities at the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

China recently discovered a huge blue ice area in the Antarctic suitable for the country's first large permanent airport on the continent, where China's strategic transport aircraft Y-20 can operate.

The discovery was made by China's 35th Antarctic research expedition team about 10 kilometers away from their base, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday.

The team used drills to test the thickness of the ice, the report said.

The team will further inspect the blue ice area before deciding on a construction plan, Xinhua reported.

"Blue ice has good bearing capacity, impact resistance and stability," Xinhua quoted Sun Bo, the leader of the expedition team, as saying.

There are eight blue ice airports from different countries in the Antarctic, Sun said.

China's large transport aircraft Y-20 and Airbus' and Boeing's long-range commercial planes can all take off and land on a blue ice runway without modifying their landing gears, Sun said.

Another form of airstrip, the skiway, in the Antarctic based on snow rather than ice needs constant maintenance, and an aircraft must be equipped with a sled landing gear to take off and land, Xinhua reported. Larger aircraft cannot use a skiway at all, it said.

Dong Yue, a research fellow at the polar research institute of the Ocean University of China, told the Global Times that it was difficult for China to transport personnel and goods like food and equipment to the Antarctic, or take out samples from there. "Using a large aircraft will be more efficient."

China now operates four research stations in the Antarctic, with a fifth under construction. However, no permanent airfield is available to China, Xinhua reported.

Chinese expedition teams previously used Russia's Progress Skiway, but the 35th Antarctic research expedition team is building an experimental skiway near the Zhongshan Station, according to Xinhua.

Having an airport represents a country's high research capability and influence in the Antarctic, Dong said.

Other countries can also use China's future airport for a reasonable fee, as China will not only provide services to the international community but will also enhance its presence and management in the region, Dong said.

During China's 32th Antarctic research expedition from 2015 to 2016, China's polar fixed-wing aircraft Xueying 601 made its first successful flight to the Antarctic, Xinhua reported.

 

[JSCh]

China launches first domestically built icebreaker
By ZHAO LEI | China Daily | Updated: 2018-09-10 06:52

Photo taken on Aug 14 shows the Xuelong 2 in construction at Jiangnan Shipyard Group in Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]

China is launching its first domestically built research icebreaker, Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, on Monday, and plans to officially put it into service in the first half of 2019, according to its builder.

A launch ceremony for the vessel will take place at Jiangnan Shipyard Group in Shanghai, China State Shipbuilding Corp, parent of the shipyard, told China Daily.

The launch means construction has basically been finished and it will soon initiate sea trials.

After the ceremony, Xuelong 2 will conduct mooring tests and undergo additional equipment installation, and will formally begin operations in the first half of 2019 if everything goes according to schedule. Its service will extensively boost China's polar research and expedition capabilities, according to the State-owned shipbuilding giant.

Construction of Xuelong 2 began in December 2016. The vessel is 122.5-meter long, 22.3-meter wide, and has a displacement of 13,990 metric tons. With a maximum speed of 15 knots, or 27.8 kilometers per hour, the icebreaker can sail on 60-day expeditions with 90 crew members and researchers, said China State Shipbuilding Corp.

It will be equipped with advanced oceanographic survey and monitoring apparatus, enabling experts to carry out research into polar ice coverage, atmospheric and environmental conditions, as well as conduct seafloor and biological resource surveys, the company added.

Wu Gang, chief designer of the icebreaker at the company's Marine Design and Research Institute in Shanghai, said the vessel is designed to break 1.5-meter-thick ice at speeds of 2 to 3 knots, and can operate in temperatures as low as-30 C.

He said the vessel will enjoy good maneuverability and adhere to strict environmental protection standards.

Chinese scientists have begun design work on a next-generation icebreaker that will be more advanced than Xuelong 2, Wu added.

The designer explained that the next-generation icebreaker will be able to break ice about 3 meters thick and endure temperatures as low as-45 C.

China now operates a single icebreaker, Xuelong, which was designed for cargo transportation rather than scientific research operations when it was built in Ukraine in 1993. The ship was purchased by China and converted to a polar research and resupply vessel.

It has carried out dozens of scientific expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic.

The nation has been paying more attention to scientific research and peaceful development in polar regions. It has conducted 34 Antarctic expeditions and eight Arctic expeditions.

The government has also published guidelines to support research and development of advanced ships for polar scientific and resource survey operations.

 

[JSCh]

China starts 2nd phase work for Taishan Station in Antarctica
Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-27 10:46:58|Editor: Yang Yi


Photo taken on Dec. 26, 2018 shows the main building of China's Taishan Station in Antarctica. China started on Wednesday the work of the second phase for the Taishan Station in Antarctica. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

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[Fabricio Tavares]

China starts 2nd phase work for Taishan Station in Antarctica

China started on Wednesday the work of the second phase for the Taishan Station in Antarctica.

What does it mean, a "second phase" for Taishan?

 

[JSCh]

What does it mean, a "second phase" for Taishan?

That mean there is going to be construction made to the Taishan station according to the project second phase plan.

From Chinese media, they include construction of underground(actually under snow) structure, installation of a range of supporting systems - power generation systems, renewable power systems, sewage treatment systems, snow melting systems and remote unattended power supply systems. The main building interior would be renovated, and also the outdoor auxiliary modules and related supporting equipment systems would also be upgraded and improved.

 

[Fabricio Tavares]

That mean there is going to be construction made to the Taishan station according to the project second phase plan.

From Chinese media, they include construction of underground(actually under snow) structure, installation of a range of supporting systems - power generation systems, renewable power systems, sewage treatment systems, snow melting systems and remote unattended power supply systems. The main building interior would be renovated, and also the outdoor auxiliary modules and related supporting equipment systems would also be upgraded and improved.

I see. Thanks a lot for your answer!