DECEMBER-2010

Ø      The members of the 1^st Indian Scientific expedition to South Pole returned to Maitri on the 1^st December 2010 after completion of all scientific tasks.  The team returned to India on the 10^th December 2010. 

Ø      Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Dr. Ajit Tyagi, Director General IMD and Dr. Satheesh Shenoi, Director, INCOIS visited Maitri between 18^th and 22^nd December 2010 to study the facilities at IMD observatory existing at Maitri for collection of meteorological data.

NOVEMBER-2010

Ø      Launching of 1st South Pole Expedition:  Shri. Prithviraj Chavan, the then Honorable Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences launched the South Pole expedition on 1st November, 2010 during a function at Ministry of Earth Science, New Delhi. The function was attended by Dr. Shailesh Naik, Secretary MoES and other dignitaries at MoES, New Delhi. Simultaneous flagging off the expedition was held at National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Goa by His Excellency Dr. S.S. Sidhu, Governor of Goa. Mr. Aleixo Seqveira, Minister for Environment and Power, Goa state and Prof. U.R. Rao were the guest of honors at the occasion.

Ø      India’s first scientific expedition to the South Pole is lead by Dr. Rasik Ravindra, Director NCAOR. The other members of team  include Mirza Javed Beg, a geologist, Thamban Meloth, an ice-core drilling expert, Ajay Dhar, a geophysicist, Asit Swain, a scientist with the Geological Survey of India, Pradip Malhotra, a central government health scheme doctor, and Krishna Murthy and Surat Singh, technical experts . during the expedition to the South Pole, the team conducted studies on atmosphere aerosol and snow chemistry, glacial dynamics and studies of the meteorological & geomagnetic parameters. 

Ø      The expedition reached South Pole on 21^st November 2010 and on completion of the scientific studies started back for Maitri on 23^rd November    2010.

OCTOBER-2010

Ø      The wintering team at Maitri completed 8^th and the last convoy of the expedition between 6^th to 14^th Oct and pulled out buried containers and Oil tankers from the ice.

Ø      Duct line was lifted up by giving additional support and welding work done. Duct was opened up and pipes changed.

SEPTEMBER-2010

Ø      The Expedition team members completed 7th convoy between 24^th – 27^th Sept and successfully brings 90 KL fuel from shelf to Maitri.

      AUGUST - 2010

Ø       Wintering team members took up major refurbishing of kitchen.

JULY-2010

Ø      Scientific activity continued with same momentum and vigour, Data in various fields like Meteorology, Geomagnetism, Snow and energy budget, Ionospheric studies and seismology using different types of instrument was collected.

Ø       The wintering team at Maitri completed the refurbishing of main entrance, Lounge, Radio room, Gym area.

Ø       The wintering team at Maitri also fitted new radiators in the utility area.

JUNE-2010

 Ø     Mid winter day was celebrated with usual zeal with winter members of neighbouring Russian station. The station was given a new look with painting of rooms, corridors and lounge.  Indoor winter sports were concluded and winners were given certificates and prizes. All this while regular scientific activities continued.

 Ø     Messages of greetings on the Mid Winter day were received from several nations .

New look with painting of station building

Station Lounge with new furniture and painting.

MAY-2010

 Ø     The team wintering at Maitri completed the refurbishing of Living Rooms and Lounge with new furniture, hot water radiators and desktop computers to provide a better working environment to members.

 Ø     Kudos to logistic personnel for making operational a  boiler, which was out of service for the last 7 months  along with making some modifications in the control panel.

Ø     IMD –scientists were successful in making their AWS data online in ftp website, providing updated hourly weather data..   

APRIL-2010

 The Expedition team was successful in ferrying 146KL of fuel and 03 cargo containers from India Bay on the shelf to Maitri apart from repairing and putting two Pisten Bullys on the track. Painting of station building was taken up and Foundation day of NCAOR was celebrated.

MARCH - 2010

 Thirty one Members of 29^th Indian Antarctic Expedition on board MV Ivan Papanin returned to Cape Town on 19^th March 2010 after completing their assigned tasks. The Voyage Leader, Shri Rajesh Asthana, and the team members were received by Shri. Javed Beg, Project Director (Logistic) of   NCAOR at Cape Town.

 FEBRUARY - 2010

De induction of the members of 28^th Indian Expedition to Antarctica was completed with return of five members of this team by ALCI flight D6 on 11^th Feb 2010. The team reached India on 15^th Feb 2010.

 JANUARY - 2010

Ø      The Ice breaker MV Valdimir Ignatjuk along with MV Ivan Papanin was brought into Quilty Bay as close as ~ 40 meter from the landing site in Larsemann hills. All the heavy machinery and earth-moving equipment including Mantis crane were transported over the fast ice to the station site.

Ø      The Larsemann Expedition team, under the Leadership of Shri Rajesh Asthana, was successful in constructing a 250 meter long road from landing site to the station site using bulldozer, excavators and nonex deflagrating devices apart from leveling the sites of station and helipad.

Ø      Australian delegation led by Dr. Lyn Madvock visited Indian team working at Larsemann Hill on 16^th Jan 2010.

Ø      Japanese Inspection team led by Mr. Yo Osumi conducted inspection of Maitri station under the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty, on 29^th and 30^th January 2010.

Ø      IIG’s Imaging Riometer (along with its antennas) was installed successfully at Maitri.

 NOVEMBER – DECEMBER - 2009

Ø      Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, MoES, Shri R.K. Sharma, Scientist G, MoES and Shri Rasik Ravindra, Director, NCAOR visited Maitri between the 30^th November and 4^th December 2009.

Ø      The final component of 29^th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was launched by Secretary MoES at Cape Town on 29^th November 2009. The expedition vessel MV Ivan Papanin set sail for Larsemann Hill at 23:50 Hrs. on 30^th November 2009. The ice breaker MV Valdimir Ignatjuk had sailed earlier was 26^th November, 2009 for the same destination.

APRIL - 2009

Ø      Wind Mill installed at Larsemann and Maitri: NCAOR decide to install a 6 KW Wind Turbine was installed at Maitri on experimental basis at Larsemann Hills while two such turbines were installed at Maitri this year to provide necessary power for operation of the equipment during windy conditions.  

MARCH - 2009

40 members of XXVIII Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica alongwith one Estonian Scientist returned from Antarctica onboard MV Emerald Sea to Cape Town on 23^rd March, 2009 and reached India (Mumbai/Delhi) on 27^th March, 2009.

 JANUARY  - 2009

Ø      The Prince of Monaco HSH Albert II and the Head of Russian expedition Mr. A.N. Chillngarov (Special Representative of the President of Russian Federation) visited the Indian station at Antarctica, Maitri on 19^th January, 2009 and interacted with the Leader and the team members. The VIP's also had a video conference with Director, NCAOR Goa.

Ø      Representative of M/s IMS Proven energy, UK successfully commissioned at Larsemann Hills on 30^th January, 2009.

 NOVEMBER - 2008

The XXVIII Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was formally launched on the 31^st October 2008, when the first batch comprising 15 scientists and logistics personnel led by Dr. P. Malhotra (the Leader of the Expedition) left Goa directly for Maitri utilizing the DROMLAN air route form Cape Town.

 FEBRUARY -  2008 

Ø      The installation of Earth station “DOME” was successfully completed on 4^th February, 2008.

Ø      Shri Jayapaul D. Leader of XXVI ISEA handed over Maitri station to Shri Arun Chaturvedi, Leader of XXVII ISEA on 14the February, 2008.

Ø     A two member delegation from MoES, comprising Shri E.K. Bharat Bhusha, Joint Secretary & financial Adviser and Dr. S.K. Das, Adviser, visited Maitri, Antarctica during February 2008.

 JANUARY - 2008

The Expedition vessel MV Emerald Sea reached Maitri on 3^rd January, 2008 at 06:00 Hrs. The field experiments are currently in progress.

OCTOBER - 2007

  First Batch of members of the XXVII Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica left for Cape Town from Goa on the 30^th October, 2007.

APRIL - 2007

 A Warm welcome function was arranged for the expeditioners at the berthing site of the vessel at Mormugao Harbour on 6^th April, 2007 at 10:30 Hrs. Mr. Praveen Agarwal,  chairman Mormugao Port Trust,  was the chief Guest and Dr. T.C. Geol, Director BITS was the guest of honour for the function. The dignitaries included Mr. Prakash Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Shri S.K. Das, Advisor, MoES, Shri Rasik Ravindra, Director, NCAOR and Shri Ajay Dhar, Leader of the XXVI Indian Antarctic Expedition returning team.

 FEBRUARY - 2007

 A three-member delegation, headed by Dr. P.S. Geol, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences and comprising Mr. Prakash Kumar, Joint Secretary, MoES and Mr. Rasik Ravindra, Director, NCAOR visited Maitri, from 12^th-15^th February, 2007.

Progress Report of the first batch of XXVI ISEA

NCAOR (Ice Core Drilling Program):

A major long-term collaborative program between NCAOR and GSI (Antarctic Dvn.) was initiated from 2005-06 to obtain several representative ice cores along a coastal to inland transect in the Central Dronning Maud Land. The project contributes to one of the most significant multi-national scientific initiative by the SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) called ITASE (International Trans Antarctic Scientific Expedition). The first ice core as part of the above project was retrieved near the Humboldt Mountains during the 25^th IAE Summer. Since it is essential to have representative ice cores from the coastal region, it was proposed to collect two ice cores from the ice shelf region north of the Schirmacher Oasis. 

 Accordingly, a surface convoy lead by Lt. Col. J .Rao, OIC and Dy. Leader , 25^th IAE, was departed from Maitri on 17^th Nov 2006 at 09.00 hrs for transferring the drilling equipments, supporting facilities as well as personnel carrying out the drilling operation. The convoy reached the proposed site at 20.30 hrs and after a reconnaissance field survey, the drilling site was selected (Location: 70º11'57.4" South & Longitude 12º27' 25.1" East). Three members of the joint NCAOR-GSI scientific team (Thamban Meloth, P.K. Shrivastava & P. C. George) and three supporting members from Indian Army (E. Cutinha, D. Chakravarthy & Manoj Kumar) remained at the drilling site and the remaining logistics team returned after the establishment of the drilling camp.

 The detailed report on the drilling operation is given below: 

 Salient observations:

1. The first phase of drilling operation in the shelf was very successful with recovery of 75 m long ice core.

2. Both the scientific and logistic team provided excellent contribution and the team spirit among the members was remarkable.

3. The drilling operation proved to be a model for cooperation from the logistic team to the scientific programs and needs to be highly appreciated. (Dr. Thamban Meloth, Scientist, NCAOR).

A brief account of the joint convoy between the Indian and Russian team of the XXV ISEA.

Indo-Russian Joint Convoy: 

The Indian and Russian Antarctic Programmes on this white desert for the past many years have had cordial relationship and mutual understanding in every aspect of the expedition and striving to cooperate in Antarctic Research for the Pursuance of Polar Science within the Antarctic Treaty System between the two Countries.  Below is one such example of the cooperation extended to the Novo base station by the Logistic Team of the XXV ISEA.

Transportation of 80 KL of aviation kerosene from the Russian Barrier to the Novo runway:   

Based on the information received from Shri Rasik Ravindra, Director,  NCAOR on 27 Oct 06 in response to the request made by Mr Lukin, Director, Russian Antarctic Expedition “as there was an urgent need of transporting aviation kerosene from the Russian Barrier to the Novo Airstrip for refueling of IL – 76 flight” an emergency meeting was held at Maitri Station along with Shri L. Prem Kishore, Leader and Lt Col. R. Janardhana Rao, Deputy Leader of Maitri Station and Mr Nikonov Nikolay, Leader,  Mr Zakhavatov Pavel Convoy Chief  and Mr Voronov Pavel of Novo Station. A detailed plan was worked out after having a thorough discussion of the modalities for a Joint Convoy involving members and vehicles from both the stations around 6^th/7th of November 2006 depending upon the prevailing weather conditions to bring 80 KL of aviation kerosene from the Russian Barrier to the Novo Runway. The entire operation was then entrusted to Lt Col R Janardhana Rao for its timely execution.

The information was received at a very crucial juncture as the time available was only 15 days for the complete operation. At this point of time the logistic team of XXV ISEA was fully preoccupied with a preplanned logistic activity for the establishment of the Summer camp, repair and retrieval of four snow mobiles from the shelf that were to be executed by 10 Nov 06. Given to the unpredictable weather conditions of Antarctica, a commitment of this kind was an uphill task to be fulfilled. However, towards enhancing the relations, cooperation and mutual understanding between Novo and Maitri, a commitment was made despite all odds.

In order to meet the ultimate plan of transporting 80 KL fuel from barrier to Novo runway, a new logistic plan was adopted for Maitri for the next 15 days, leading to a quick layout of the Summer camp living modules which continued till mid night on 29 -30 October 2006. A 10 day convoy (longest period on a convoy during this expedition) for the complete operation to the shelf was planned. After the preparations were made, the convoy moved from Maitri on 1^st December 2006. Events there after were planned as under.

(a)       01 Nov 06                 - Move of convoy from Maitri with three snow mobiles and six members.

(b)       01 – 04 Nov 06         - Repair and retrieval of two vehicles from two different locations on the convoy route.

(c)       04 – 05 Nov 06         - Repair of one vehicle at the shelf (these two days were lost due to a heavy blizzard). 

(d)       06- 07 Dec 06           - These two days were kept as reserve to meet the Contingencies, which facilitated in completing  the work that could not be finished in the last two days due to blizzard.

(e)       07 Nov 06                 - Move of convoy from Indian bay with Six  vehicles, Four fuel Tankers, generator, living module (Banjara) and six members.

(f)        08 Nov 06                 - Arrival of convoy at the Russian barrier. Decanting of fuel completed at 2100 hrs.

(g)       09 Nov 06                 - Move of convoy from the Russian barrier at 1000 hrs.

(g)       10 Nov 06                 - Arrival of convoy at Novo Airbase and handing over of 80 KL aviation kerosene fuel

The flight arrival two days earlier than scheduled has created some amount of confusion. However, the scheduled delivery of fuel on 10^th November

2006 as planned was stuck to and completed with out any deliberations. The logistic team has lived up to its motto ‘Strive & Thrive’ despite the time constraints and a 10 day long convoy facing all odds of Antarctic weather. It is an exhibition of grit and determination of the team in meeting the required dead line in spite of any adverse situation to meet the hour of crisis.

May and June the peak winter months at Maitri have marked rich scientific dividends. 

The summary of activities follows.

Geophysics:

A )       Regular observations in seismological Observatory: 

1. Broad Band Sensor KS2000M with Geotech Smart24R Digitizer, recording digital data on a continuous basis

2. Short period S-13 Sensors with Reftek DAS unit along with Reftek RT121-03 recording digital data on a continuous basis.

3. Analogue Recording by Teledyne Geotech Analog Recorder (Portacorder RV 320B) with S-13 Seismometer.

4. Preliminary analysis of seismic events carried on regular basis and 60 seismic events for the month of May have been recorded.  Two events of above 8.0 Magnitude have been recorded on 16^th May and 29^th May 2006.  30 seismic events have been recorded for the Month of June 2006.

5. Downloading the seismic event files and archiving them for further processing and analysis at headquarters.

6. Archiving the Digital Seismic data and storing in relevant format.

7. The Turbo Rouge GPS Receiver is in operation on a continuous basis and GPS data accumulated is in the form of Turbo Binary at an interval of 15 secs.  The same is converted into RINEX format for further processing.

8. Ashtech GPS Receiver is in operation on a continuous basis and the GPS data accumulated is in the form of Ashtech Binary at an interval of 15 secs.  The same is converted into RINEX format for further processing.

9. The GPS data is stored in respective format for further processing and analysis at Headquarter.

Regular maintenance of the above systems is taken care for continuous operation. A log book is maintained regularly and all the parameters involved in the operation of the above systems is made note off for the smooth operation of the Laboratories. 

(Scientists: L. Prem Kishore, S.V.R.R. Rao, NGRI).

B)                Geomagnetism:     

The Magnetic variation data from the Digital, Flux Gate Magnetometer (by seconds, minutes and hour), EDA Flux Gate Magnetometer (every 30 seconds) total magnetic field data from the Proton Magnetometer (every 5 seconds), Electromagnetic wave absorption data from Relative opacity meter (every second) are collected with out any break.  Magnetic field disturbance were observed on 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 10^th,11^th,12^th , 13^th, and 14^th of May,2006 and 2^nd, 3^rd, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 16^th, 17^th,18^th, and 28^th  of June 2006.  Auroral activity observed on 3^rd, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th June, 2006. 

The Global Electric circuit (GEC) data from Maxwell current antenna (for atmospheric electric currents, with a 500 second atmospheric relaxation time), total electric field data from Field mill, and atmospheric electric potential (at 1 meter height) from Passive antenna was collected.11 days of fair weather days were observed, which is essential for GEC measurements. The collected GEC data was partly analyzed and forwarded to EGRL (Equatorial geophysical Research Lab-IIG) Tirunelveli, for further analysis. 

The newly installed GPS (for electron density studies) is working with out any problems and the data being down loaded at regular intervals. 

All the systems are working fine and the data collected are of very good quality.

Necessary help was extended to all participating institutions and to the logistic work.

(Scientist: K.V. Nair from IIG)

 C)       Meteorology:        

          Continuous monitoring of weather phenomena is being carried out as follows. 

1.        Synoptic observations covering the daily seasonal and annual variations of atmospheric pressure, surface wind, surface air temperature and cloud cover are taken every three hour and every sixth hour observations (00, 06, 12 &18z) are transmitted in real time basis. 

2.        Diffuse and Direct solar radiation is monitored continuously. Balloon borne radiometer sonde is         sent every fortnight after sunset to study  short and long wave radiations in the atmosphere. 

3.        Ozone sonde instrument is released every week to study the of Ozone – hole phenomena over Antarctica and also to obtain the vertical profile of ozone. 

4.         Atmospheric turbidity is measured with help of SUN PHOTO     meter at an interval of every 2 hrs.

( Scientist: P.A. Vasudevan from IMD) 

D)     Human Physiology: 

The second phase of psychological assessment, comprising of psychomotor dimensions, and measures of depression, interpersonal relationship and personality was completed.

The tests were administered individually to the wintering team members; data was processed and entered into computer.

The answer sheets for some of the psychological questionnaires for the next assessment were prepared.

(Scientist: F.U. JOHN PAUL, DIPAS)

E)     Glaciology  

Data downloading from data logger of  RRTS (Remote relay Transmission system) at Sankalp Point on Continental ice just 8 Kms distance from Maitri Station for use in Energy Balance model. The detail of data collected ( at an interval of one hour) is as under: 

1. Temperature Data such as Average, Maximum,Minimum,  Instance Temperature.  

2. Atmospheric Pressure.

3. Wind Speed.

4. Wind direction.

5. Relative Humidity.

6. Sun duration.

7. Radiation Data.

The data was retrieved from   Data logger of Sankalp Point RRTS on 03-06-2006, 07-06-2006, 7-06-2006, 28-06-2006

 Result of Analysis of some Metrological parameter for the period March, April and May. 

(Scientist: Manoj Kumar Walia, SASE)

F)        Communication:             

Defense Electronics and Application         Laboratory: The overall communication from Maitri base station to the outside world and in around Schimarcher Oasis was maintained regularly through IMARSAT terminals by phone, fax, email and telex. Sending and receiving of scientific information in the form of data or fax is done regularly.   Following are the activities which have been carried for the month of May and June, 2006.

i.                    Daily transmission of 6 hourly synoptic data of IMD to New Delhi through Inmarsat–C and sometimes through Inmarsat mini-M (Nera). 

ii.                  Regular transmission of scientific data of NGRI, IIG and SASE to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chandigarh respectively through Inmarsat-B.

iii.                HF weather fax broadcast from Weather Broadcast Station Pretoria (S.A.) has been received twice in a day regularly for Meteorological analysis by Met. Scientist.

iv.                 Downloading and uploading of emails on daily basis by Inmarsat-B. 

v.                   Regular VHF/HF communication with Novolarzaska station.

vi.                 Fixed schedule HF link communication with DEAL Dehradun.

vii.               Regular broadcast of AIR news in AM band using HF for updating the latest happenings for the benefit of the members.

viii.             MET warning and EGC mails are received on regular basis from Inmarsat-C.

ix.                 Maintenance of log book of phone, fax and telex time in respect of each Satellite terminal.

(Scientist: Narendra Singh G, DEAL).

Laboratory Facility at Maitri Station