New Ukrainian Antarctic expedition begins work at Akademik Vernadsky station
A rotation of annual teams has taken place at the Akademik Vernadsky station, with the 31st Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition beginning its mission while the 30th heads home.
This was reported by the National Antarctic Scientific Centre (NASC), which noted that the new team has already begun carrying out scientific research.
“Polar explorers face a long journey home. First, our vessel Noosfera will transport them to the port of Punta Arenas in Chile. From there, the team will travel by plane to Poland and then continue by bus to Ukraine,” the Centre said in a statement.
According to the NASC, the 30th expedition spent a year at the station, conducting research in three main areas: geophysics, meteorology and biology, while also maintaining operations.
“Above all, the team ensured the collection, processing and transmission of data, many of which form some of the longest observation series in Antarctica. These are used worldwide to monitor global processes affecting our planet,” the statement said.
In addition to carrying out its scientific programme, the 30th expedition actively contributed to international cooperation, cultural diplomacy and science outreach. In particular, members of the First Mexican Antarctic Expedition worked alongside Ukrainian scientists at the Vernadsky station.
The team also hosted nearly 2,000 tourists from around the world (excluding Russia and Belarus) and held more than 130 online sessions for school students.
The 31st Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition consists of 14 members: nine scientists (four meteorologists, two geophysicists and three biologists), as well as a cook, a doctor, a systems administrator, a diesel engineer and a mechanic.
For the first time in Ukraine’s history, the expedition is led by a woman — meteorologist Anzhelika Hanchuk.
