The 9th National Antarctic Science Expedition (TAE IX), carried out by the TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute (KARE) under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic, under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, will take place between February 6, 2025 and March 12, 2025. Within the scope of the expedition, a total of 20 researchers, 16 Turkish and 4 foreign, will carry out 19 different scientific projects in Antarctica. The first of these projects will be a project that three high school students will have the opportunity to test in Antarctica.
Minister of Industry and Technology Kacir: "This Expedition Will Increase Turkey's Scientific Gains"
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır saw off the 9th National Antarctic Science Expedition team from Istanbul Airport. Minister Kacır emphasized the importance of the expedition and said, "During the expedition, we will carry out 19 scientific projects with 16 Turkish scientists and 4 foreign researchers. The expedition will arrive in Antarctica on February 8 and will be successfully completed on March 12."
Minister Kacır stated that the research activities in Antarctica attracted the attention of not only Turkey but also the global scientific community and said: "We have cooperated with more than 20 countries in the international arena and 27 Turkish scientists took part in expeditions of different countries. In this expedition, we will establish a new low frequency measurement station in cooperation with the USA."
"We have been supporting the research of our scientists by organizing polar science expeditions since 2017. To date, we have organized a total of 12 National Polar Science Expeditions, 8 to Antarctica and 4 to the Arctic. For us, what is as valuable as successfully conducting 12 expeditions is the scientific, technological and strategic gains our country has achieved through these expeditions. With the polar expeditions carried out to date, nearly 200 Turkish scientists have had the opportunity to carry out more than 100 projects in polar conditions. 243 scientific outputs and 40 graduate theses were produced through these researches."
"As Turkey, we have established meteorological, satellite positioning, seismic, air quality and aerosol monitoring stations in Antarctica, which is the farthest region from our geographical location. Our Polar Research Institute, which we established within TÜBİTAK in 2019 to coordinate polar studies in our country, continues seismic and meteorological observation studies in Antarctica 24/7. It is possible to say that the polar expeditions, which we see as a strategic mission, are also one of the brightest examples of the effective science diplomacy we have carried out in recent years." Minister Kacır said, "Within the scope of polar studies, we have cooperated with more than 20 countries in the international arena. We hosted 22 researchers from 13 countries on our expeditions. 27 Turkish scientists carried out their studies in international expeditions of 9 different countries. Thanks to all these efforts, we have successfully completed our full membership process to the European Polar Board, the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research, the National Antarctic Programs Executive Council. We became a party to the Antarctic Treaty Environmental Protection Protocol."
Minister Kacır said, "During our polar expeditions, we also had the opportunity to test and experience our domestic and national technology products in Antarctica and the Arctic, which have the harshest climatic conditions in the world. The "Thermal Battery" produced by TÜBİTAK SAGE met the energy needs in possible emergencies. The radios and relay stations produced by ASELSAN enabled our scientists to establish healthy communication and perform their missions in safety. Our domestic UAVs facilitated the work of our scientists in the most challenging conditions."
Turkish Scientific Research Base to be Established
TUBITAK's efforts to strengthen Turkey's scientific presence in the polar regions will be crowned with a Turkish Scientific Research Base. Minister Kacır stated that with this base, they will make the contributions of Turkish scientists to polar research permanent.
Research to Shed Light on the Future
TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın said, "We are happy and excited. Our scientists have been conducting research at the poles for years. Polar research is very important. Our scientists will shed light on our future with the scientific research they will conduct there."
Expedition Preparations Completed
The TAE IX team completed its final preparations at the Expedition Training and Coordination Meeting held at Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Maritime Studies between January 20-22, 2025. Departing from Istanbul on February 6, the team will arrive in Antarctica on February 8. The expedition will be completed with the return to Istanbul on March 12.
Scientific Studies and Projects
During the expedition, TÜBİTAK Polar 1001 projects will be implemented in the field. In addition, many projects will be carried out with 4 foreign researchers. Within the scope of the expedition, satellite and meteorological stations will be maintained and sea mapping studies will continue.
High School Students to Participate in TUBITAK 2204-C Projects
Within the scope of TÜBİTAK 2204-C Polar Research Projects Competition, three high school students from Kabataş Boys' High School will have the opportunity to realize their projects in Antarctica. The students will carry out various gas and climate measurements with the "Unmanned Polar Air Vehicle" project.
Expedition Logistics and Preparations
A total of 2 tons of logistic materials and scientific equipment were delivered to Antarctica for the expedition. Logistics cooperation and scientist exchange plans between Turkey and Chile were successfully realized.
