The Antarctic Campaign presents the scientific projects for its 33rd edition

The research activities and scientific work which will be carried out as part of the 33rd edition of the Antarctic Campaign were presented on the 21st of November in the Technical College of the University of Extremadura, in Cáceres.

The ceremony was presided over by the dean of the University of Exrtemadura, Antonio Hidalgo, accompanied by the chief of the Operations Division of the Army, General Salom, the director of the National Polar Research Programme, Andrés Barbosa, professor of mathematical analysis from the University’s Faculty of Science, Mariano Rodríguez-Arias, and the chief of the Spanish Antarctic Base ‘Gabriel de Castilla’, Commander Nuñez. Also present was the minister for the Economy, Science and Digital Agenda for the Extremadura regional government, Rafael España. After the ceremony, they visited an exhibition of photos and elements from the Army’s Antarctic Campaign, which was also held in the Technical College.

Members of the military contingent who will be deployed to the ‘Gabriel de Castilla’ Spanish Antarctic Base also attended the ceremony. For the first time, the group includes three women.

Today, the soldiers will speak to 500 students from seven educational centres in Cáceres and Trujillo about the mission which researchers and members of the Armed Forces will carry out together in Antarctica. This is a scientific activity which will mostly take place in the Antarctic Base, operated by the Army.

The Spanish Antarctic Campaign, which represents a model of cooperation between different public and private institutions dedicated to research, in the structure of the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation, is also an exponent of the Army’s collaboration in scientific research.

In terms of the number of troops involved, this is a comparatively small military mission. However, it is unique because of both the distance (13,000km) and the climactic difficulties.