At the Russian Antarctic station Vostok, the assembly of the first three modules of the new wintering complex has been completed. In total, there will be five such structures in the composition of a modern scientific center deep in Antarctica. Their final commissioning is scheduled for 2025.
The construction of buildings that will help winterers work in comfortable conditions is being carried out by the team of the 68th Russian Antarctic Expedition of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. The new Vostok station complex will have a total area of about 2,000 m2. Its length will be 140 m, the maximum height is 17.5 m. The three-meter supports on which the modules are placed will allow the station to remain above the level of snowdrifts for many years. Installation of 36 supports was completed last season.
— During the period of seasonal work, the builders assembled the subframe, insulated and installed the outer skin of three modules, which will allow us to continue the internal work during the Antarctic winter. Until the end of the year, it is planned to install and commission heating and ventilation systems. Next season, we plan to complete the construction of all the modules of the new station and test its performance – launch it in test mode. We expect to fully commission NZK Vostok in 2025, — said the director of the AARI Alexander Makarov.
The complex will equip scientific laboratories, residential and public premises for polar explorers, a garage, energy centers and technical units for a water purification and storage system. There is also a modern medical block with an operating room, a pressure chamber, a dental and X-ray room, a wardroom with billiards and a cinema hall, a gym and a sauna. 35 seasonal specialists and up to 15 winterers will be able to live and work in excellent conditions at Vostok station.
New wintering complex station “Vostok” is designed for year-round living and work of polar explorers at extremely low temperatures. Area stations considered the South Pole of Cold. It was here that on July 21, 1983, the lowest temperature on the Earth’s surface was recorded: -89.2 ° C.
Chairman of the Board of PAO NOVATEK Leonid Mikhelson introduced the project of a wintering complex at the Vostok station at a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Geographical Society in April 2019.
To ensure the construction of a new complex, from November 2022 to February 2023, 19 sledge-caterpillar caravans were successfully carried out along the Progress-Vostok highway. More than 3100 tons of construction materials and fuel were delivered to the station, 98 polar explorers were brought – winterers and seasonal specialists.
New airfield at Progress station made it possible to quickly deliver cargoes and a construction and assembly group to Antarctica. A team of 90 polar mechanics-drivers worked to equip the station “Vostok” with everything necessary. 45 units of equipment, including 40 Polar-300 transporters and five Caterpillar tractors, participated in the transport operations.
