Belarusian satellite for Antarctic studies

The Belarusian satellite has been involved in research in Antarctica. The information was released by head of the South Pole expedition Aleksei Gaidashov on 16 April, BelTA has learned.

Belarusian polar explorers were taking measurements when the satellite was passing over Antarctica. According to the source, capabilities of the Belarusian satellite are of great interest for researching Antarctica.

During the expedition Belarusian polar explorers carried out climate and weather researches. It was done for the safety of the expedition and for safe aircraft flights. “Russians don’t have a meteorologist on payroll in Antarctica, therefore, members of the Belarusian expedition perform this kind of work,” explained Aleksei Gaidashov.

The scientists also performed researches in biology. In particular, samples of the microorganisms that exist in Antarctica were taken. They were delivered to Belarus for the sake of growing and studying them. “Belarus should occupy its niche in this area,” the scientist believes.

The head of the expedition said that this time the weather has been quite warm in Antarctica: snow started melting fast, resulting in ice cracks, landslides, and pits. Strong flows of fresh water poured into the ocean. The climate changes on the icy continent are a concern for scientists.

Members of the fifth Belarusian Antarctic expedition have returned from Abu Dhabi to Minsk by air. Those are head of the expedition Aleksei Gaidashov, research officer of the B.I. Stepanov Physics Institute Mikhail Korol, and associate professor of the Microbiology Chair of the Biology Department of the Belarusian State University Vladislav Myamin.

The Belarusian South Pole expedition lasted for about half a year. They researched aerosol in the atmosphere using a solar scan radiometry station and a mobile light radar, measured the reflection spectrum of hard-rock egresses. Apart from that, paleogeographic and physical-and-geographical researches were performed, with the overall ozone content measured daily. In addition, hydrobiological researches of lake and sea ecosystems were continued, biological samples around the station were taken.

Belarus plans to set up its own station in Antarctica. The station’s possible environmental impact has been estimated. The report will be submitted to international agencies for the experts to determine how the construction and operation of the station will influence the Antarctic environment.