A Goan researcher is amongst the team of 25 scientists who have left for Antartica in a bid to start third Indian research station ‘Bharti’ there on Larseman Hill.
Rakesh Rao, a member of Association of Science of Astronomy, will be documenting new research station construction.
Vasco-based National Centre for Antartica & Ocean Research (NCAOR) Director Rasik Ravindra told Herald that this will be a five-month long project which is being undertaken to expand India’s research capabilities on this icy continent.
Rao will also document scientific activities at Maitri station, which is currently operational and located almost 8,000 kilometres away from the new research station.
The quest to explore Antarctica has been increasing since the setting up of Dakshin Gangotri station there. Sources stated that the new station planned is just eight kilometers away from stations of world’s two significant countries – China and Russia.
The research team which left on October 22 has 25 scientists and 10 other crew members.
The first batch departed on October 18.
The third team will also be sent to Antartica and for the first time in Indian research history, the team including the NCAOR director will go to South Pole on November 2.
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