#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Ice-resistant self-propelled platform Severny Polus (Eng.: North Pole) has successfully passed control tests. It will improve the weather forecasts and ice conditions’ quality n the Northern Sea Route The platform’s first flight is planned on September 1.
The crew is almost fully formed. The scientists’ main team has been assembled: it includes 27 people. According to the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) director Alexander Makarov, the platform will allow to resume the drifting polar stations’ program suspended ten years ago in 2013.
“Control tests have shown that the platform works perfectly. All necessary certificates and documents are accepted. All navigation and ship equipment has been checked. The helicopter complex has been tested”, said Alexander Makarov.
The Severny Polus will work on a new technology:, it will reach the wintering place under its own power, then it will be frozen into the ice. Scientists will set up a mobile scientific camp around the vessel, which, The camp can be quickly dismantled in ice floe destruction case, and research can be continued from the vessel. The platform has enough autonomy to drift up to two years.
This work will allow scientists to obtain data on climatic processes in the Arctic, ice drift, the ice cover degradation and the increased influence of warm Atlantic waters in the Arctic.
“We are preparing to transfer the vessel to Roshydromet (the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring), and then to our institute. The platform’s acceptance and its full preparation for launch are scheduled for August”, added Alexander Makarov.
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Text: Ekaterina Elkanova. Photo: the USC press service
