Maitri (research station)
The Maitri research station is India's second permanent research station in Antarctica. The name "Maitri" means "friendship" in Sanskrit, reflecting the spirit of international cooperation in Antarctic science.
Maitri Station | |
|---|---|
An aerial view of the Indian Station Maitri, Antarctica on 2 February 2005 | |
Maitri Station Location of Maitri in Antarctica | |
| Coordinates: 70°46′00″S 11°43′55″E / 70.766667°S 11.731944°E | |
| Established | January 1989 |
| Elevation | 117 m (384 ft) |
| Population (2017) | |
| • Summer | 45 |
| • Winter | 25 |
| Website | ncpor |
Geography and History
Maitri is located in the Schirmacher Oasis, a rocky, mountainous region in Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica. It was established in 1989 to replace India's first station, Dakshin Gangotri, which had become difficult to maintain due to being buried under snow and ice.[1] The new station was strategically built on a solid, ice-free area.
The station is situated inland, about 100 kilometers from the coast. It is near the Russian Novolazarevskaya Station, facilitating logistical and scientific collaboration.
Purpose and Scientific Research
Operated by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Maitri is a year-round facility that supports a wide range of scientific activities. Its primary goals include:
- Earth sciences: Conducting research in glaciology, geology, and geophysics to understand the tectonic history of the continent and the dynamics of its ice sheets.
- Atmospheric sciences: Monitoring the Antarctic atmosphere to study climate change, the ozone layer, and upper atmospheric phenomena.
- Cold-Region Engineering: Developing and testing technologies and materials that can withstand the extreme polar environment.
- Human Physiology and Medicine: Studying the effects of the harsh climate on the human body, providing valuable data for space exploration and medicine.
Maitri is equipped with modern facilities, including laboratories, a communication center, and living quarters that can accommodate up to 40 people in the summer and a smaller team of 25 during the harsh winter. It serves as a gateway to the central Dronning Maud Land mountain range for various expeditions.
Maitri-2 Station
Recognizing that the current station has been in operation for over three decades and is reaching the end of its lifespan, India has announced plans to replace it with a new, more modern and sustainable facility called Maitri-2. This new station is expected to be operational by 2029 and will further enhance India's scientific capabilities in Antarctica.
- ↑ "Maitri". Polar Conservation Organisation. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 2009-04-13.