India’s 40th Scientific Expedition to Antarctica

India has recently launched the 40th scientific expedition to Antarctica. The expedition has a 43-member team that embarked on the expedition upon the Russian ice-class vessel MV Vasiliy Golovnin.

Key Points

• This expedition will mark four decades of India’s scientific endeavor to Antarctica.
• The expedition will start on January 5 from Mormugao Port Trust, Goa with 43 members and will sail to South Africa’s Cape Town where 5 more members will come on board.
• The vessel is likely to reach Antarctica in 30-45 days. The vessel will bring back the 48 members who have been on the southern continent for 15 months.
• As per the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), the expedition is limited to provide support the ongoing scientific projects on geology, climate change, ocean observations, environmental monitoring, electric and magnetic flux measurements, accomplishing the return of the winter crew and resupplying of food, fuel, provisions and spare.
• NCPOR is responsible for managing the entire Indian Antarctic program.

The Antarctic expeditions of India began in the year 1981 with the first trip including a team of 21 scientists and support staff. At present, the Indian Antarctic programme has 3 permanent research base stations in Antarctica; Maitri, Bharati, and Dakshin Gangotri. Currently, only Bharati and Maitri are operational.