For the 10th time, Portugal contributes to scientific logistics in Antarctica by chartering a plane that will transport scientists and technicians between Punta Arenas in Chile and the Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin airfield, located on King George Island, in Antarctica.
Investigação e Desenvolvimento
Portuguese flight takes researchers to Antarctica to support research in the region
The flight took place on January 20, 2022 and will be the anchor of the 2021-22 Portuguese Antarctic Campaign that will run until the beginning of March, with the support of several Antarctic programe partners.
The round trip flight will transport six researchers who are members of the Polar College of the Universidade de Lisboa that are integrated into projects supported by the Portuguese Polar Program (PROPOLAR), and 80 researchers from Bulgarian, Chilean, Korean and Spanish programmes. This is the Portuguese contribution to the international logistics that support scientific activities in Antarctica during the austral summer, the most active time of year in the so-called white continent.
The 2021-22 Portuguese Antarctic Campaign integrates 7 projects of inquiry, with a total of 13 scientists in the field (1 Belgian, 1 Chilean, 1 Canadian, 1 Spanish, 1 Iranian and 8 Portuguese) who will work in the islands of King George, Deception, Livingston (South Shetland Archipelago), in the Marguerite Bay area (Antarctic Peninsula), and the marine areas off the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. These projects are developed in the atmospheric, biological, cryosphere, environment, and Earth sciences areas, and are tied to the impacts of climate change in Antarctica. The supported projects are coordinated by scientists from 5 public research centers.
The Antarctica campaign runs until early March 2022 and is funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education (MCTES), through the Portuguese Polar Program (PROPOLAR). Given that Portugal does not own any infrastructures in Antarctica, the campaign is based on international cooperation with Chile, Spain, the Republic of South Korea, and Turkey, which provide logistical support for accommodation in research bases and research ships, transport of researchers and equipment and support for research activities.
Note: Article updated on Feb 3, 2022
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