The Ukrainian icebreaker Noosphere has returned to the port of Cape Town, South Africa, completing its fourth Arctic season, the National Antarctic Science Center reported.

In five months, the ship traveled more than 37,000 kilometers, which is almost equal to the length of the Earth's equator. In particular, it made five record-breaking voyages to Antarctica and crossed the Drake Passage 10 times.

During this time, Noosphere rotated the 29th and 30th Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions, and also continued a seasonal expedition to Vernadsky station and back. It conducted a joint voyage with expeditions of the Antarctic programs of Poland, the United States, Spain, and the Czech Republic with funding from foreign countries. At the same time, Ukraine delivered additional cargo and specialists to Vernadsky Station, and conducted geological, oceanographic, and meteorological research. Scientists launched six argobuoys for the first time, which are already collecting information on currents in the Southern Ocean.

Also, for the first time, scientists conducted simultaneous radio sounding of the atmosphere from Vernadsky and Noosphere to learn more about the process of cloud formation and precipitation, in particular their impact on the ocean, sea ice, and glacial melting.

  • Currently, due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Noosphere icebreaker cannot return to its home port in Odesa, so it is temporarily stationed in Cape Town, South Africa.

NoosphereVernadsky StationUkrainian polar explorers