INDIA LAUNCHED 41ST SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA
Highlights
- The first batch of Indian contingent arrived at the southern white continent.
- First batch comprises of 23 scientists and support staff. They reached the Indian Antarctic station Maitri recently.
- Four more batches will land in Antarctica by air using DROMLAN facility. They will land by mid- January 2021, onboard chartered ice-class vessel MV VasiliyGolovnin.
Major Programs of 41st expedition
41st expedition comprises of two major programs:
- The first program is “geological exploration of Amery ice shelf” at Bharati station. This programme will help in exploring the link between India and Antarctica in past.
- The second program is “reconnaissance surveys and preparatory work” to drill 500 meters of ice core near Maitri. This programme will help in improving the understanding of Antarctic climate, sea-ice, greenhouse gases from a single climate, and westerly winds.
- Apart from accomplishing scientific programs, 41st expedition will replenish annual supplies of fuel, food as well as provisions & spares for operation & maintenance of life support systems set up at Maitri& Bharti.
How ice core drilling will be done?
- The ice core drilling will be done in association with British Antarctic Survey and Norwegian Polar Institute.
The Indian Antarctic programs
- Indian Antarctic programs started in 1981. It has completed 40 scientific expeditions. The programs helped in building three permanent research base stations in Antarctica:
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- Dakshin Gangotri in 1983,
- Maitri in 1988 and
- Bharati in 2012.
- Base stations Maitri and Bharati are fully operational, as of now.
Who manages the Indian Antarctic program?
- The entire Indian Antarctic program is managed by “National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa”.
- NCPOR is an autonomous institute working under Ministry of Earth Sciences.