Mese: Novembre 2018

A great Antarctic Philatelic exhibition named “Icy Continent & Indian Expeditions ‘ Exploring Antarctica” curated by Abhay Mishra at Valley of Words , International Literature & Art Festival, Dehra Dun. Venue – Hotel Madhuban, Blue Star Gallery (India), has just ended on last 25^th Nov 2018.

Abhai Mishra is an “amateur philatelist” since 25 years. He is an ardent photographer and has designed over fifty special covers and cancellations for Department of Post. He is actively involved in spreading philately among children at grass-root level through interactive workshops.

As a philatelist he specializes in the area of Indian Antarctica and Uttarakhand. He has authored a book titled “Uttarakhand – A philatelic Journey”, published by Department of Post, Uttarakhand Circle. He has been to Antarctica with the XXI Indian Scientific Expedition as a communication officer. Professionally he is a scientist with Defence Research and Development Organization. (Pic aside shows  Abhay Mishra & Dr. G.S Shirohi, Ph.D  Delhi University)

India’s involvement with Antarctic Expeditions, dates back to circa 1911.

The book (Author Abhay Mishra) traces the history of  Indian  Antarctic Expeditions through mails and letters carried with the expedition. It documents the Indian Antarctic postal history through cancellations, cachets, labels, envelopes, letter heads, QSL cards, postcards, used during the expedition.

This “India Antarctic Expedition” is more than a nice book , it’s a great Philatelist’s Guide   that tells by wonderful pictures and philatelic covers & stamps, the history of Indian expeditions in Antarctica since the beginning, date cancellers used in Indian Antarctic Post Offices and lots more… it could be a fantastic gift for Christmas !

The book is distributed  by  www.stampsofindia.com  and/or can be ordered directly through orders@stampsofindia.com.

A rendering of the proposed redevelopment and consolidation of buildings at McMurdo Station. This conceptual drawing is subject to revision prior to final design. (Image Credit:  Leidos)

A long-range plan to modernize McMurdo Station (WAP USA-22), NSF’s logistics hub in Antarctica, to better support cutting-edge science in the coming decades cleared a major hurdle in the last week of October when a Final Design Review (FDR) of what is envisioned as a 10-year undertaking was conducted.

The successful outcome for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernization for Science (AIMS) project puts NSF’s Office of Polar Programs a significant step closer to being able to redevelop McMurdo into an energy and operationally efficient platform from which to launch world-class Antarctic science.

Over the space of three days, an independent, comprehensive review was carried out of not only the progress of the project, but also the recipient’s capability and capacity to successfully, safely, and professionally deliver the AIMS-approved project scope within funding limits, and within an established schedule.

Now that the review is complete, the FDR Panel report, with its recommendations and OPP’s responses will make its way to the next stage: a formal review by NSF’s Facilities Readiness Panel.

Even though the panel has determined the project is indeed ready to proceed to construction, further milestones must still be met, including OPP’s formal presentations to NSF’s Facilities Readiness Panel, as well as to the Director’s Review Board, before the project is formally presented to the National Science Board in Feb 2019.

If the NSB approves the project, it will make a recommendation to the Director’s designee for final authorization for the modification the Leidos contract to include AIMS.

Antarctica is owned by no one, but there are plenty of countries interested in this frozen island continent at the bottom of the Earth. While there are some regulations on who can do what there, scientific research has no definition in Antarctic law. So any research by a country conducted in or about Antarctica can be interpreted as legitimate Antarctic science.

There are 30 countries operating bases and ships, and flying aircraft to and from runways across the continent. Russia and China have increased their presence in Antarctica over the past decade, with China now reportedly interested in building its first permanent airfield.

It is not surprising there is significant interest in who is doing what, where – especially if countries ramp up their investment in Antarctic infrastructure with new stations, ships or runways. Their actions might raise eyebrows and fuel speculation. But the freedom of countries to behave autonomously is guided by the laws that apply to this sovereign-neutral continent.

Treaties and signatories

There are 12 original signatories to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty,  and they do not have to prove their commitment to the treaty since they wrote the rules. Another 41 countries have signed on since 1959, and they do need to prove commitment. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) coordinates Antarctic research, but being a member is not a prerequisite for doing Antarctic science.

Currently there is only one jointly operated scientific base – Concordia (WAP MNB-Ø3), occupied by both France and Italy.
The Novolazarevskaya airfield (Blue One runway,  WAP MNB-Ø6) is a joint operation coordinated by Russia. This encouragement was designed to reduce the potential for expansion of the footprint of human activities. In 2017 the Consultative Parties adopted revised guidelines for how to become a decision maker. These outline new rules on a concept that has never been articulated publicly in an Antarctic forum before – evaluating the quality of scientific research. This could put the brakes on the rapid addition of new signatories to the table.

Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-country-antarctica-science.html

The South Pole overland Traverse, or SPoT, left McMurdo Station (WAP USA-22) on Antarctica’s Ross Island on Nov. 12, to begin a trek of more 1,000 miles across the Antarctic Plateau to NSF’s Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station (WAP USA-36).
Image:TNX Mike Lucibella at NSF

In the first of three such traverses planned for this research season, the eight tractors and a tracked vehicle called a PistenBully will haul 100,000 gallons of fuel to the station.

TNX National Science Foundation-Office Polar Programs, USA

Russia has provided a full details of its 64^th RAE and we are happy to share it on the WAP pages , sure that the Antarctic chasers will enjoy to know the plan; in addition, being us Radioamateurs, we are sure we will have good chance to work the skilled Radio operators  in the several Russian Bases while they will be there.

TNX and credit: State Scientific Center-Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of the Russian Federation

The scientific expedition ship Akademik Fedorov has just departed from St. Petersburg to the shores of the Antarctic. This will be the 43^rd expeditionary flight of the flagship of the Russian polar fleet. The ship’s captain is Oleg Kalmykov Kalmykov, the head of the seasonal expedition is Mikhail Viktorovich Bugayov.

On board the ship, 100 participants of the 64^th RAE will go to Antarctica: 61 people from the wintering staff of Mirny (WAP RUS-Ø7), Vostok (WAP RUS-13) and Progress stations (WAP RUS-11), 39 participants of seasonal work at these stations, as well as seasonal field bases Molodezhnaya (WAP RUS-Ø8) and Oasis Banger and the R/V “Akademik Fedorov”.

To ensure the year-round operation of the Antarctic stations and the implementation of scientific programs of the seasonal expedition, more than 1,200 tons of various cargoes were loaded on board, including 852 tons of diesel fuel, 67 tons of food, consumables, spare parts, scientific instruments and equipment.
The voyage will last 207 days and will consist of two Antarctic phases, each of which will begin in the port of Cape Town.

At the first stage, the vessel will ensure the start of seasonal work at the Molodezhnaya Base, at Progress and Mirny stations. Then “Akademik Fedorov” will deliver personnel and supplies for Vostok station, ensure the implementation of geological and geophysical works in the Oasis of Banger and oceanographic works in the waters of the Mawson Sea and Prydz Bay. Along the way, the ship will deliver personnel and cargoes to the seasonal base of the Belarusian  and cargo to the Belgian seasonal base Princess Elizabeth on the coast of the Riiser-Larsen Sea.

The first stage will be completed in mid-March in the port of Cape Town, where participants of the wintering team at Novolazarevskaya and Bellingshausen stations will arrive on scheduled flights.
The second stage of the Antarctic cruise of the vessel will take place along the route: Cape Town – Molodezhnaya (WAP RUS-Ø8), Novolazarevskaya (WAP RUS-Ø9), Bellingsgausen (WAP RUS-Ø1),  Montevideo – Bremerhaven – St. Petersburg. At this stage, the vessel will supply and replace the wintering team at Novolazarevskaya and Bellingshausen stations, as well as complete seasonal operations at these stations and seasonal bases Molodezhnaya and Vechernyaya Mountain (WAP BLR-NEW). At the exit from the Antarctic, the vessel will conduct marine research in the Bransfield and Drake Straits. The return of the “Akademik Fedorov” to the home port is planned for June 2, 2019.

In total, the staff of the 64^th RAE will include 120 employees of the seasonal expedition, 110 people of the wintering expedition, two ships: the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” (Pic above) and the R/V “Akademik Alexander Karpinsky” (Pic aside), two helicopters of the type KA-32 and the An-2 aircraft.
WAP wish the polar explorers good luck in the expedition!

In 1965, President Eduardo Frei Montalva, declared November 6, as Chilean Antarctic Day; since then, every year Chile through INACH, celebrate it.

The “Instituto Antártico Chileno” (Chilean Antarctic Institute/INACH) is a technical organization of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with complete autonomy in scientific, technical and outreach Antarctic activities.

Pic aside show the Chilean Navy Base , Arturo Prat (WAP CHL-Ø1).

Chile is developping logistical and scientific cooperation with 17 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, China, Argentina, Brazil, Korea, Colombia, Italy, Uruguay and Spain. In addition, INACH bases and three shelters will be used, the laboratories of two bases operated by the Armed Forces; three Navy ships; airplanes and helicopters.

Happy “Día de la Antártica Chilena” celebration to the Chilean friends, scientists and researcher.