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Maitri (research station)

Coordinates: 70°46′00″S 11°43′55″E / 70.766667°S 11.731944°E / -70.766667; 11.731944
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Maitri
An aerial view of the Indian Station Maitri, Antarctica on 2 February 2005
An aerial view of the Indian Station Maitri, Antarctica on 2 February 2005
Location of Maitri in Antarctica
Location of Maitri in Antarctica
Maitri
Location of Maitri in Antarctica
Coordinates: 70°46′00″S 11°43′55″E / 70.766667°S 11.731944°E / -70.766667; 11.731944
Country India
Location in AntarcticaQueen Maud Land
Antarctica
Administered byNational Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
EstablishedJanuary 1989 (1989-01)
Elevation117 m (384 ft)
Population
 (2017)[1]
 • Summer
45
 • Winter
25
UN/LOCODEAQ MTR
TypeAll-year round
PeriodAnnual
StatusOperational
Activities
List
  • Biology
  • Glaciology
  • Earth science
  • Meteorology
Websitencpor.res.in
Maitri under construction with lake Indira Priyadarshini in background (1988)

Maitri also known as Friendship Research Centre, is India's second permanent research station in Antarctica as part of the Indian Antarctic Programme. The name was suggested by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Work on the station was first started by the Indian Expedition which arrived the end of December 1984, with a team led by Dr. B. B. Bhattacharya. Squadron Leader D. P. Joshi, the surgeon of the team, was the first camp commander of the tentage at camp Maitri. The first huts were started by the IV Antarctica Expedition and completed in 1989, shortly before the first station, Dakshin Gangotri, was buried in ice and abandoned in 1990–91.[2] Maitri is situated in the rocky mountainous region called Schirmacher Oasis. It is only 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) away from the Russian Novolazarevskaya Station.

India is planning to replace Maitri research station by 2029.[3]

Facilities

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An aerial view of the Indian Station Maitri, Antarctica on 2 February 2005

The station has modern facilities for research in various disciplines, such as biology, earth sciences, glaciology, atmospheric sciences, meteorology, cold region engineering, communication, human physiology, and medicine. It can accommodate 25 people for winter. Fresh water is provided through a freshwater lake named Lake Priyadarshini.

Airfield

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ALCI Airbase
Novo Runway
Summary
Airport typePrivate
OperatorAntarctic Logistics Centre International (ALCI)
ServesNovolazarevskaya and Maitri
LocationDronning Maud Land
Opened6 April 2014 (2014-04-06)
Time zone(UTC+3.30)
Coordinates70°49′17″S 11°38′36″E / 70.821517°S 11.643345°E / -70.821517; 11.643345
Map
ALCI Airbase Novo Runway is located in Antarctica
ALCI Airbase Novo Runway
ALCI Airbase
Novo Runway
Location of airfield in Antarctica
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
3,000 9,842 Blue Ice

A blue ice runway, located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away, operated by Antarctic Logistics Centre International (ALCI) serves the station and Novolazarevskaya.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Antarctic Station Catalogue (PDF) (catalogue). Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs. August 2017. p. 85. ISBN 978-0-473-40409-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Maitri". Polar Conservation Organisation. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  3. ^ "India to replace 'very old' Maitri research station in Antarctica by 2029". WION. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
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