Icebreaker 'Noosphere' Delivers Expedition to 'Academic Vernadsky' Station, Cementing Partnership with Mexico

Ukraine's scientific research vessel, the icebreaker 'Noosphere,' has successfully completed its voyage to the Antarctic station 'Academic Vernadsky,' situated on Galindez Island. This arrival marks a significant milestone: the first time participants of a seasonal Ukrainian expedition have reached the station aboard this specific vessel.

The 'Noosphere,' which serves as the flagship of the Ukrainian research fleet, was previously known as the British RRS James Clark Ross before its acquisition by Ukraine in August 2021. This robust vessel measures 99.04 meters in length and has a displacement of 5,732 tons. It boasts the capability for autonomous operation lasting up to two months, accommodating approximately 50 scientists alongside a crew of 27 personnel. The journey to the Antarctic outpost spanned nineteen days, commencing from the Chilean port of Punta Arenas. Captain Pavlo Panasiuk reported that navigating the Drake Passage was surprisingly smooth, with wave heights peaking modestly at 3–4 meters, a condition he aptly described as an 'ideal track.'

During the transit, the 'Noosphere' was actively utilized for collecting vital oceanographic data. Ukrainian oceanographers deployed multi-beam echo sounding systems to conduct bathymetric mapping of the seabed. This technology achieved high resolution, reaching 25 centimeters per pixel when measuring depths down to 12 kilometers. The scientists lauded these hydroacoustic tools, calling them the 'eyes for our geological marine work.' The primary objective of reaching the station was the deployment of a technical team tasked with continuing the modernization efforts at 'Academic Vernadsky,' work that was initiated prior to the full-scale invasion. The station itself was transferred from the United Kingdom on February 6, 1996, and is named in honor of Volodymyr Vernadsky, the founder of the theory of the noosphere. Planned upgrades for the current season include replacing the aging sewage system, updating lighting fixtures, and expanding the specialized platform designated for meteorological research.

Furthermore, this expedition is serving as a crucial platform for strengthening international scientific collaboration. As part of these efforts, Ukrainian specialists are scheduled to participate in the First Mexican Antarctic Expedition (AMEA) during the 2025 season. This collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between Ukraine's National Antarctic Scientific Center (NASC) and the Mexican Antarctic Research Agency (AMEA) in Mexico City on August 11, 2025. This five-year agreement outlines joint research activities to be conducted both aboard the 'Noosphere' and at the 'Academic Vernadsky' station. Patricia Valdespino, President of AMEA, emphasized that this partnership offers Mexico a valuable opportunity to engage in projects led by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology (ICMyL).

The Head of the NASC, Yevhen Dykyi, stressed that Antarctica functions as a critical global climate regulator. He noted that involving more nations, such as Mexico, is strategically vital for studying the continent's ecosystem amidst ongoing climate change. Dykyi expressed satisfaction that Ukraine is positioning itself as a 'bridge to Antarctica' for countries beginning their engagement on the continent, thereby bolstering Ukraine's standing among the nations of the Global South. As part of this joint endeavor, four Mexican geologists will work alongside their Ukrainian counterparts to gather rock samples essential for paleoclimatic reconstruction studies. Currently, the vessel is undergoing the unloading process before its scheduled return to Punta Arenas to continue executing its broader Antarctic program.