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Meteorites serve as invaluable archives of our solar system’s formation, offering information that terrestrial rocks cannot provide. Building on AI-assisted meteorite hunts near Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Station, a Belgian-Dutch team has now developed the first “treasure map” to predict the locations of meteorite stranding zones (MSZs) across the continent, making recovery efforts more efficient and globally collaborative.

Read the full article on The Conversation!

Preparing for Antarctic conditions requires meticulous planning, according to Henri Robert. All clothing—from thermal underwear and balaclavas to down jackets and waterproof trousers—is selected in advance at the IPF’s Cape Town office. The dry climate aids insulation, but the wind is the greatest challenge, turning even moderate temperatures dangerously cold. To stay safe and productive, researchers layer long johns, shirts, jumpers, insulated ski jackets, and trousers, complemented by specialized boots capable of withstanding -30°C. Accessories such as merino wool socks, sunglasses to block intense sunlight, and high SPF sunscreen protect against sunburn and ice crystals forming on eyelashes.

Life inside the station contrasts sharply with the outside; it is warm, humid, and entirely powered by renewable energy, creating a “bubble” that isolates scientists from everyday concerns. Returning to Belgium after the season brings a jarring shift, dubbed the “Antarctic blues,” which Henri Robert alleviates with traditions like visits to thermal spas. His experience underscores the careful preparation, resilience, and respect for the environment required to thrive at the world’s only zero-emissions Antarctic research station.

Read the full article on The Guardian!

Deployed in December 2021, the Venturi Antarctica has enabled scientists at the Princess Elisabeth Station to conduct field missions while relying solely on renewable energy from wind and solar sources. With a seating capacity for up to six people and a 52.6 kWh battery providing a 50 km range, the tracked electric vehicle was initially optimized for temperatures as low as -58°F (-50°C). However, rising Antarctic temperatures up to -10°C (14°F) necessitated upgrades in late 2022. Venturi engineers added two air intakes and a ventilation system to prevent overheating of the cabin and power electronics, and redesigned sprockets to reduce vibration from snow accumulation.

Since its deployment, the vehicle has covered approximately 500 km (310 miles), performing essential missions such as maintenance of weather observation stations and the Belgian atmospheric research post. These upgrades ensure that the Venturi Antarctica continues to support sustainable, zero-emission research in one of the world’s harshest and most dynamic climate.

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The Venturi Antarctica is a heavy-duty electric vehicle fitted with caterpillar tracks to navigate snow and ice, capable of carrying up to six people along with scientific equipment. Developed by Monaco-based EV manufacturer Venturi, it is powered by dual 60kW motors and a 52.6kWh battery, with the option to add a second battery for extended range. The vehicle can operate in extreme temperatures down to -50°C and is engineered for polar terrain, reflecting Venturi’s experience in Formula E and electric land speed record vehicles.

Since its deployment in December, the Venturi Antarctica has been used for critical scientific missions, including the maintenance of weather observation stations and the Belgian atmospheric observation post on a 2,300-meter plateau. Its introduction demonstrates how renewable technology and innovative engineering can enable zero-emission operations in one of the harshest environments on Earth, aligning with the station’s mission to conduct world-class research while minimizing ecological impact.

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The wind turbines at Princess Elisabeth Station are specifically designed to function in extremely cold weather. Unlike typical wind turbines that are mounted on large concrete bases, these turbines are drilled directly into the granite ridge beneath the snow and ice. This unique installation method eliminates the need for extensive concrete foundations, which are challenging to construct in such a remote and harsh environment.

Additionally, the turbines are equipped with special polar lubricants that enable them to withstand the freezing temperatures and operate smoothly. This innovative approach ensures a reliable and sustainable energy source for the station, supporting its status as the first zero-emission polar research facility.

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China’s Arctic activities have attracted growing attention from policymakers, researchers, and security analysts. Some experts, like Heather Exner-Pirot of the Observatory for Politics and Security in the Arctic, caution against overstating the risks, noting that China has limited experience and capabilities compared to established Arctic nations. Others, including Hans Jørgen Gåsemyr and Jari Vilén, emphasize the need to monitor Chinese engagement closely, particularly regarding infrastructure projects and potential strategic influence.

The symposium highlighted the complexity of the issue: while China’s presence is often constructive and invited by Arctic states, it also requires transparency, careful negotiation, and thoughtful policy. The discussions underscored that awareness and informed engagement are essential as the Arctic evolves into a more globally connected region.

Read the full article on High North News!

The Princess Elisabeth Station is unlike any other research base on the continent. Its infrastructure combines high-efficiency insulation, solar panels on roofs, walls, and sleeping containers, and nine wind turbines anchored into the surrounding granite ridges. These innovations ensure that all electricity, heating, and daily operations run on renewable sources. The station enforces strict energy priorities, reserving power for essential systems such as fire alarms, medical equipment, and communications, while everyday activities like showers and laundry are limited. Life at the base requires adaptation, but it demonstrates that zero-emission operations are feasible even in the most remote and extreme conditions. By combining technology, design, and discipline, the station shows that sustainability is not just a concept, but a practical reality.

Read the full article on ZME Science!

Travelling to Antarctica and working there traditionally came with a large carbon price tag: multiple flights, diesel-powered generators, fossil fuel heating, food shipped across oceans, and waste processing far from the source. Yet at the Princess Elisabeth station, these conventional burdens have been replaced with renewable alternatives and innovative engineering. Solar panels cover roofs, walls, and even sleeping modules; wind turbines are anchored deep into the Antarctic granite ridges; insulation with multiple layers keeps the cold at bay; water is melted from snow, filtered and reused; and a strict prioritisation of electrical loads ensures that essential services are maintained first. 

Daily life adapts too, luxuries are minimal, showers are rare, and conservation isn’t a matter of policy, but survival. By showing that it is possible to sustain research and human presence without relying on fossil fuels, the station proves that zero-emission living is not only theoretically possible, but operational even in the most extreme environments.

Read the full article on The Conversation!

Asuka 12325 is a shergottite-type meteorite, formed from Martian volcanic rock, and is one of only 209 Martian meteorites known on Earth. Belgian scientists from ULB and VUB, including Vinciane Debaille, Steven Goderis, and Philippe Claeys, will analyze the meteorite to determine its age and study its deeper rock fragments. These insights could shed light on Mars’s volcanic activity and geological history over the past 150 million years. The meteorite’s discovery and transport were made possible through logistical support from the International Polar Foundation, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in planetary science.

The full story and detailed research insights are available here at knack.be!

The Antarctic Treaty, established in 1959 to guarantee peace and scientific collaboration, is under growing strain. With 53 nations now involved, including new actors like China and India, consensus-based decision-making is increasingly complex. China’s construction of a fifth research base and the expansion of Antarctic tourism highlight the challenges of regulating activities in this fragile environment.

Key issues include fishing rights, bio-prospecting, and potential resource exploitation, all of which could become contentious as climate change opens new areas and makes the continent more accessible. Experts warn that the treaty’s current mechanisms may be insufficient to manage these pressures, with decisions requiring unanimous agreement leaving any one nation with effective veto power.

Despite these tensions, Antarctica still serves as a model for cooperation: countries rely on each other to survive in extreme conditions, and scientific collaboration remains a high priority. Observers suggest the Antarctic Treaty could offer lessons for governance in other contested regions, such as the Arctic or international space.

For more information follow the link to the full article on FT.com!