India on January 4, 2021 launched the 40th Scientific Expedition to Antarctica. The 40th expedition journey will be flagged off from Goa on January 5, 2021 with 43 members onboard.
- This Indian expedition marks four decades of the country’s scientific endeavour to the southern white continent.
- The chartered ice-class vessel MV Vasiliy Golovnin will make this journey and will reach Antarctica in 30 days.
- After leaving behind a team of 40 members, it would return to India in April. On return, it will also bring back the winter team of the preceding trip.
- The Indian Antarctic expeditions began in 1981. The first trip comprised of a team of 21 scientists and support staff led by Dr SZ Qasim.
- The Indian Antarctic programme has now credited to have built three permanent research base stations in Antarctica—named Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, and Bharati.
- As of today, India has two operational research stations in Antarctica named Maitri and Bharati.
- The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, manages the entire Indian Antarctic program.
