The Ukrainian research vessel "NooSphere" has completed its third Antarctic season. Late in the evening on May 8, 2024, it docked at the port of Cape Town (South Africa).
This was the longest Antarctic season for the "NooSphere" with the most extensive scientific program. It began on November 17, 2023, with a route from Cape Town 🇿🇦 to King George Island (Polish Antarctic Station "Arctowski") – Galindez Island (Ukrainian Antarctic Vernadsky Research Base).
The icebreaker transported cargo and expedition participants, including a group of technical specialists for the modernization of the "Vernadsky" station. It then arrived at the port of Punta Arenas (Chile). This voyage was captained by Alexander Gryshko.
The vessel set out for Antarctica again on March 15, 2024. Onboard were the team of the 29th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition, cargo for their wintering, as well as scientists from seasonal expeditions from Ukraine and other countries. This time, Captain Pavlo Panasiuk led the expedition.
During this journey – on the way to Vernadsky Base, in the station area, and on the return journey – the "NooSphere" conducted numerous research activities.
These included:
• Collection of samples of bottom sediments to continue studying the Earth's geological history, primarily climate change.
• First-time collection of marine fauna samples from the bottom of the Southern Ocean (in collaboration with Polish colleagues).
• Collection of unique material for studying the acoustic communication of rare whales – southern right whales.
• Collection of krill and phytoplankton samples for an important international study on the distribution of silicons in Antarctica.
• Collection of interesting samples for comparative research from isolated populations of freshwater invertebrates and vascular plants, as well as mountain rocks from Desolation Island and Kristin Island, Arthur Harbor.
The "NooSphere" returned to Chile on April 13, delivering participants of the 28th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition and the seasonal expedition. During this transit, the icebreaker had to endure severe storms in the Drake Passage with waves up to 10 meters high and wind speeds up to 35 m/s.
The vessel then set off again for Antarctica – to King George Island for the rotation of polar explorers at the Polish station "Arctowski" 🇵🇱 🇦🇶. From there, the "NooSphere" headed to Cape Town 🇿🇦, where it successfully arrived yesterday.
As before, this expedition of the "NooSphere" was a joint Ukrainian-Polish effort and partially funded by the Polish Antarctic Program.
"Even in the midst of full-scale war, we not only support but also develop the activities of our scientific flagship. This time we have logistics support, international cooperation, and the most extensive research program. I recall with a smile the words of skeptics about the 'rusty tub' that will stand in port. The 'NooSphere' brilliantly completed its third Antarctic season, for which I am grateful to both of its crews," noted the director of the National Antarctic Scientific Center, Yevhen Dikyy.
The vessel will remain in the port of Cape Town until the next Antarctic season. The return of the "NooSphere" to Ukraine is planned after the completion of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation.
