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News  Voyage to the most isolated base on Earth
Alexander Kumar, the next ESA-sponsored crewmember to stay in Concordia, has arrived safely at the research base in Antarctica. The voyage to one of the remotest places on Earth takes even longer than the voyage to the International Space Station. The international outpost’s programme of research includes glaciology, human biology and the atmosphere. ESA uses the base to prepare for future long-duration missions beyond Earth.
Concordia is an ideal place to study the effects on small, multicultural teams isolated for long periods in an extreme, hostile environment.
Alexander’s work started before reaching the base: he had to tend to routine medical problems as the only qualified physician on the ship.
After a week-long journey across the Southern Ocean, the Astrolabe arrived at Dumont d’Urville.
After a five-hour flight, Alexander arrived at Concordia, a staggering 3200 m above sea level, and one of the coldest places on Earth. Alexander is replacing Eoin Macdonald-Nethercott, who has been at Concordia for over a year. Once the Antarctic winter sets in next month, it will be impossible to access the outpost because temperatures can drop to –84°C.
Concordia’s 14 inhabitants have to learn to live and work together without help from the outside world. Only after the Antarctic summer warms the frigid surroundings will fresh supplies and personnel be able to reach the site.
Alex will also test software tools that could help crews on future missions.
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