Transantarctic Expedition

From 15.11.2008 to 20.01.2009 - Status: scheduled

A new bio-fuel-powered vehicle

A group of "ordinary people with ordinary jobs" (as the press file puts it so well) is attempting to cross the continent from side to side using new methods of propulsion powered by biofuel., It is led by three polar region specialists, Andrew Regan, Andrew Moon and Jason de Carteret.

The expedition plans to cover approximately three thousand miles as it attempts to cover the route from Berkner Island to the South Pole, onwards to McMurdo through the Transantarctic Mountains. The men involved want their project to draw attention to as many people as possible about the importance of the polar regions in the world and the need for the international community to do everything it can to protect them.

A very special feature of this expedition is that it has developed a new design of vehicle capable of driving relatively quickly over ice and powered by biofuel (the information kit does not tell us which particular biofuel). According to the venture's leaders, this new vehicle will make it easier for researchers to conduct the trips they regularly need to embark on outside their bases. It also has a special radar device capable of identifying potential hazards along the way, particularly crevasses. This experimental reconnaissance vehicle will be followed by another, a six-wheeler this time. It is specially equipped to travel across difficult terrain, and to broadcast news about the expedition's progress and about the general importance of the Antarctic to the whole world, wherever it happens to be located and in all weathers.

The programme for this exciting adventure also includes carrying out a series of small scientific tasks along the way (here again we don't have any more details at the moment).