Espacio Lejano Station, ground station of the Chinese Deep Space Network
Espacio Lejano Station is a ground station in Neuquén, Argentina, equipped with a 35-meter diameter antenna designed to receive signals from satellites and spacecraft. The facility sits on a 200-hectare site in the Bajada del Agrio area and supports the tracking and monitoring of space missions.
The station was completed in 2017 and represents China's first ground station of this type located outside the country. It was built under an agreement signed in 2012 between China and Argentina that established a 50-year framework for space research collaboration.
The station is located in a remote area far from major cities and accessible roads, making casual visits impossible without prior authorization. Access to the facility requires special permission from operators.
The station played a key role in supporting the Chang'e-4 mission, which became the first spacecraft to land on the far side of the Moon and transmit signals back to Earth. This achievement demonstrated the capability to control and track missions across extreme distances.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
