The icebreaker Noosfera, the flagship of the Ukrainian scientific research fleet, is continuing its third Antarctic season, setting sail from the port of Punta Arenas in Chile to the Vernadsky Research Base (the Ukrainian Antarctic station) on 15 March 2024.
The National Antarctic Scientific Center announced this in a statement, the CFTS portal reports.
"Our flagship has two important missions: to deliver the 29th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition to the Vernadsky Research Base. Its 14 members will replace their colleagues from the 28th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition, who have been working in Antarctica for almost a year. A lot of cargo for the wintering of the new team, including food, clothing, fuel, etc., will go to Vernadsky together with the team," the statement said.
The icebreaker is carrying 50 tons of cargo and 140 cubic meters of fuel for the conduct of seasonal research in the Southern Ocean and at the Vernadsky Research Base, including research within the framework of international projects.
One of them is the study of the possible spread of silicones in Antarctica. Scientists will collect samples of phytoplankton, krill, and bottom sediments for further research.
The Noosfera is currently in its third Antarctic season. It began on 17 November 2023, when the icebreaker set sail from the port of Cape Town to the icy continent. The icebreaker facilitated a shift change at the Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station and delivered a seasonal expedition to the Vernadsky Research Base to conduct technical and scientific work.
After that, the Noosfera waited in Chile for its second voyage to Antarctica.
