The Ukrainian scientific research vessel Noosfera is facilitating research in the Southern Ocean on behalf of the U.S. National Science Foundation. This is the first such mission not only for this vessel but also for the entire Ukrainian fleet.
The Ukrainian National Antarctic Scientific Center announced this in a statement, the CFTS portal reports.
The Ukrainian icebreaker is currently operating in the waters around the Palmer Station, a United States research station in Antarctica. U.S. researchers are conducting marine research aboard the Noosfera.
At the end of this week, the Noosfera will complete its mission at Palmer Station and head to Vernadsky Research Base (the Ukrainian Antarctic station) with the American scientists on board. Talks on expanding cooperation are planned there.
"During the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, cooperation with other countries in the Antarctic is becoming increasingly important for us. This is not only about our contribution to global scientific development and attracting additional funds from foreign partners, but also about 'Antarctic diplomacy', as the icy continent is a significant arena of global geopolitics," said Yevhen Dykyi, director of the Ukrainian National Antarctic Scientific Center.
As reported previously, the Noosfera is currently in its fourth Antarctic season under the Ukrainian flag. The icebreaker arrived at the Vernadsky Research Base on 3 January. During its current mission, the vessel also delivered an expedition to the Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station.
