China has approved a project for a “submarine space station” that will be positioned at a depth of 2,000 meters in the South China Sea. The research station is expected to be operational around 2030 and will be used for the exploration of methane hydrates and rare minerals.

The South China Sea holds significant scientific and geopolitical importance for China.

According to the South China Morning Post, the Beijing government has given the green light for the construction of a “space station” in the South China Sea.

This station or submarine will be located at a depth of 2,000 meters and will serve not only as a scientific center but also as a geopolitical strategic point.

The rich natural resources in the South China Sea are claimed by many countries.

PLANNED TO BE OPERATIONAL BY 2030

The research station is scheduled to be operational around 2030 and is expected to accommodate up to 6 researchers. Scientists will be able to stay there for up to a month.

Referred to as the “submarine space station” by researchers, this structure will be used specifically for the study of seabed vents known as “cold sources.”

Unlike hot water vents, these sources involve cold water usually containing methane that comes out from the seabed.

These areas often contain a substance called “methane hydrate” or “flammable ice.”

This is a compound where methane gas molecules are trapped within a cage made of water molecules, similar to ice.

This substance forms at high pressures and low temperatures, especially in the deep regions of the seas.

CAN BE USED AS FUEL IN ENERGY PRODUCTION

Methane hydrate forms a potentially massive source of methane, the main component of natural gas, and can be used as fuel in energy production.

IT COULD BE MORE THAN 70 BILLION TONS

It is estimated that there are over 70 billion tons of methane hydrate in the South China Sea alone, almost equivalent to half of China’s onshore oil and gas reserves. Additionally, rare minerals such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese are found on the seabed. The concentration of these minerals could be three times higher compared to land mines.

STATION TO BE CONNECTED TO MAINLAND WITH FIBER OPTIC CABLE

According to scientists, construction of the deep sea station will begin “soon.” The station is planned to work in conjunction with unmanned submarines and surface vessels, creating a “four-dimensional monitoring network.” Also, the station is expected to be connected to the mainland with fiber optic cable. The research vessel named Mengxiang will support these efforts, providing scientific support to the station from the sea surface.

Furthermore, the drilling ship to be used in the project will be the world’s first ship to penetrate the Earth’s crust to reach the mantle.

While the oceanic crust has an average thickness of 7 kilometers, the continental crust averages around 35 kilometers in thickness.

The deepest drill hole on land is the Kola Superdeep Borehole in Russia, which reached slightly deeper than 12 kilometers in the Kola Peninsula.

ENERGY SOURCE REMAINS A MYSTERY

There is no clear information on how the station will generate energy.

However, experts believe that a nuclear reactor is the most likely option due to the need for life support systems that require continuous operation.