Turkey's 9th National Antarctic Science Expedition (TAE-IX), led by the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TÜBİTAK) Polar Research Institute (KARE), departed on February 6th, 2025, for a month-long research mission.
The expedition, under the auspices of the Turkish Presidency and coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, will see 16 Turkish and 4 foreign researchers collaborate on 19 projects. The expedition's focus includes climate research, satellite and meteorological station maintenance, and marine mapping.
One of the notable aspects of this expedition is the participation of three high school students from Kabataş High School, winners of the TÜBİTAK 2204-C Polar Research Projects Competition. The students will conduct gas and climate measurements as part of their "Unmanned Polar Vehicle" project.
The expedition is expected to contribute to Turkey's growing scientific presence in Antarctica and its role in international collaborations on climate change research. The expedition's findings and data will be shared with the global scientific community, contributing to a better understanding of the continent's unique environment and its impact on the global climate.
Key moments to watch for include the implementation of the TÜBİTAK 1001 projects and the students' research findings. The expedition's progress and findings will be closely followed by the international scientific community.