This was reported by the National Center for Antarctic Science, Ukrinform reports.

As noted, on 24 December the flagship of the Ukrainian research fleet left Cape Town (South Africa) for Antarctica. The captain of the ship is Pavlo Panasiuk.

“The current expedition is the joint Ukrainian-Polish expedition and is mainly funded by the Polish Antarctic Program (which is very helpful for us in conditions of reduced budget due to a full-scale war). Therefore, Noosphere will go first. Poland located on King George Island Antarctic Station Artzowski”, – briefed NASC.

Later, as noted, the icebreaker will go to the station “Academic Vernadskyi” in Ukraine, where it will deliver cargo and a team of technical specialists who need to complete the modernization of the infrastructure of the station. Especially this season, there are plans for replacing the heating system, arranging a new place to store boats, grounding the diesel engine and the main building of the station, as well as other urgent works necessary for a successful wintering. 28. Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition.

The icebreaker is expected to reach “Vernadskyi” by the end of January.

At the same time, it was noted that the “Noosphere” went to Antarctica with a large trident on board (1.25 m by 1.05 m in size). In the autumn of this year, two small Ukrainian State Coats of Arms were placed on the fake pipes on the right and left side of the ship.

“The world must see our resilience and our confidence in Victory everywhere, even in the midst of icebergs and endless snow,” NASC said.

As reported, the first Antarctic season of “Noosphere” ran from the end of January to the end of May 2022. The flagship successfully provided the rotation of winterers at the Ukrainian station “Akademik Vernadskyi”, the exchange of polar explorers at the Polish station “Artstovskyi” and the conduct of unique research on the study of the Southern Ocean.

Photo: uac.gov.ua