A team of engineers and technicians from the National Commission for Space Activities (CONAE) is carrying out work at the Belgrano II Joint Antarctic Base to advance the construction of the future Belgrano II Ground Station.

The summer campaign takes place after the voyage of the icebreaker ARA Almirante Irízar and its main objective is to complete the technical support infrastructure on land.

This work is the necessary foundation for the subsequent installation of the antenna systems, a strategic project included in the space agency's institutional calendar for 2026.

The plan will turn Belgrano II into the third tracking, telemetry and telecommand (TT&C) station of the national network, adding critical capabilities to those already existing in Córdoba and Tierra del Fuego.

The key advantage of this location is its extreme latitude, at 77° South, making it the southernmost in Argentina . From there, contact with polar-orbiting satellites, such as those in the SAOCOM constellation, will be radically optimized, allowing for up to fifteen data download windows per day. This provides greater operational continuity and more flexibility to manage any anomalies in Earth observation missions.

The specific tasks, detailed by the technical staff, include the construction of the container that will house the electronics of the two 6.1-meter parabolic antennas, whose bases were previously installed.

The initiative is not an isolated event, but is coordinated with the Joint Antarctic Command (COCOANTAR), the National Antarctic Directorate (DNA) and the Argentine Antarctic Institute (IAA), a comprehensive state effort.

This technological advancement at the country's southernmost permanent base transcends the scientific realm. Within the framework of Argentina's sovereign claim over Antarctica—a presence based on effective occupation prior to the Antarctic Treaty and supported by the Tierra del Fuego Constitution—projects like the Belgrano II Ground Station are concrete acts of consolidation.

Faced with a geopolitical scenario where other powers are active in the region and with an eye on the future of the continent, Argentina must always strengthen its position through development, innovation and an active and permanent state presence.