Unexplored Antarctica 2018 - 2019

» Unexplored Antarctica 2018 – 2019

Unexplored Antarctica 2018 – 2019

Start date: 12-01-2018
End date: 02-12-2019
Start / end point: Novolázarevskaya Base
Kms. total: 2,000 kms.
Delivery days: 74 days.
Challenges achieved: —

On December 1, 2018, the scientific and exploration expedition ‘Unexplored Antarctica 2018-2019’ begins with the Wind Sled, the Spanish polar eco-vehicle that will travel 2,000 kilometers inside the Antarctic plateau to develop 10 research projects and reach one of the most inhospitable and unknown areas on the planet.

The Expedition on the map

Ramón Larramendi and his team are currently on the Antarctic continent in the development of the Unexplored Antarctic Expedition.

The WindSled carries out the scientific and exploration expedition ‘Unexplored Antarctica 2018-19’ between December 1, 2018 and February 12, 2019. It will be a journey of 2,000 kilometers never before made with this ‘non-polluting’ vehicle to carry out different scientific projects of national and international impact and that will also mark a geographical milestone when reaching the Fuji Dome, at an altitude of 3,810 meters, without motorized means. . They will withstand temperatures of 50º below zero and below. It is sponsored by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Tierras Polares y Expediciones travel agency. It also has a contract from the European Space Agency (ESA), and the University of Maine (USA), the CSIC and various Spanish universities collaborate. Part of the funds have been obtained thanks to a crowfunding in which 350 people have participated.

The Windsled into uncharted lands

The expedition ‘Unexplored Antarctica 2018-19’ will travel in a triangular route one of the most unknown territories on Earth and four Spanish expedition members with extensive polar experience will be part of it: Ramón Larramendi, Hilo Moreno, Ignacio Oficialdegui and Manuel Olivera. Larramendi is the creator of the vehicle and director of the expedition. The objective is twofold: to demonstrate that the Wind Sled overcomes the most adverse conditions (in an ascent never before carried out without motorized means of transport) and to carry out the route with cutting-edge projects at a scientific level, from Spanish and international institutions.

The expedition will leave the Russian base of Novolazárevskaya and will go up to the Fuji dome, at an altitude of 3,810 meters, where there is a Japanese base that is currently active. From there you will arrive at the North American scientific base Base Plateau (in the land of Queen Maud), abandoned since 1969.

The project gives the possibility of transporting more than two tons in a sled pulled by kites made up of its configuration of three modules:

Locomotive module: this module acts as a locomotive and will have a store to alleviate the low temperatures, which sometimes exceed 50 degrees below zero. In its back part it has a space to be used as a workplace and refuge for pilots in case of bad weather.
Load module: It is the module for the transport of scientific equipment and the one required by expedition members (food, devices, samples collected on the journey, etc.). In addition, they will have installed 10 to 12 square meters of photovoltaic panels for the production of energy that will be stored in six large and several small batteries.
Livable module: the third module will serve as a home for the expedition members. It will consist of a large tent designed for the expedition that will facilitate the greenhouse effect and will resist Antarctic storms.

Expeditions