The Fourteenth Indian Expedition to Antarctica comprising 62 members which included 25 wintering members, sailed on-board the Norwegian vessel 'MV Polar Bird' from Goa on 17th December, 1994. The team comprising 30 scientists including an Observer from the Department of Ocean Development was led by Dr. S. D. Sharma, a Physicist from National Physical Laboratory, Delhi. The following scientific and logistic tasks were accomplished by this team which returned back in March 1995.

2.1.1 Scientific Accomplishments

Atmospheric Sciences


A state-of-the-art Laser Heterodyne System was commissioned and successfully tested for measuring vertical profile of ozone upto stratospheric heights.

An indigenously developed Millimetre Wave Radio-spectrometer was used to measure the emission lines of atmospheric ozone on a continuous day and night basis over the year.

Planetary Boundary Layer Studies were conducted to understand atmospheric turbidity and dynamics of lower atmosphere.

For the first time in Antarctica, India carried out experiments on day time auroral phenomenon using an indigenously fabricated dayglow photometer.

Biological Sciences

Studies on moss water lake communities through investigations on the occurrences of Phylum Tardigrada which acts as a unique signature community in cold conditions, was initiated.

A project to devise a long-term monitoring system on population dynamics of seals and avian taxa using aerial census, was initiated.

Medical Sciences

As an ongoing experiment, studies on correlation of circadian rhythmicity and metabolic status of personnel and monitoring of body parameters were carried out. These experiments are aimed at enhancing the physical and mental capabilities of human subjects under extreme weather conditions.

A new experiment to monitor the correlation between human body and geomagnetic disturbances in Antarctica was undertaken.

Communication and Engineering

A hall mark in long distance communication was made with the commissioning of electronic mail from Maitri through INMARSAT. This has enabled on-line data transfer to and fro Antarctica.

Environmental Sciences

Environmental Impact Assessment Studies through the analysis of diverse samples of land, air and water from Antarctica with the aim to generate baseline data required for devising an environmental monitoring protocol, were taken up.

2.1.2 Logistic Tasks performed by the Fourteenth Expedition

The major time bound logistic tasks undertaken by the team were as follows:

Completion of garage-cum-workshop for vehicle maintenance.

Site location and foundation for balloon launching hut.

Augmentation of summer hut facilities.

Insulation and erection of liquid nitrogen hut.

Routine maintenance of Maitri infrastructure and shifting of cargo from shelf to Maitri through land convoys.