Significant Achievements
Project planning, supervision & operational support for establishment of dedicated SATCOM facility at Maitri and NCAOR in year 2008 in collaboration with Space Application Centre, Ahmadebad and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. The facility provides uninterrupted broadband connectivity through satellite link at 4 MHz bandwidth for voice, video and data at Maitri station.
Project planning, supervision and operational support for construction of Bharati station with modular structures between 2007 and 2012. The station building was erected in 127 days and it measures 30m x 50m with a floor area of 2162 sq m. About 43% of station area is allocated for utilities, 23% for circulation, 15% for living, 12% for laboratories and 7% for storage. Power and heat requirements of the station are completed by 3 combined and heat power (CHP) units each of 100 kVA. Bharati is equipped with most modern amenities, heat ventilation and air conditioning system, automatically operated fuel farm of about 3 lakh liter capacity, sea water and waste water systems, etc. The station can host a maximum of 47 scientists and operational staff round the year.
Project planning, supervision and operational supports for construction of earth stations at Bharati in collaboration with National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad. The data reception station operates in X and S bands for Indian remote sensing satellites and a dedicated data communication station operates in C band which links Bharti station and NRSC, Hyderabad. All Indian remote sensing satellites are tracked, data downloaded and commands uploaded through the Erath Station at Bharati. The link also provides a two way communication service between NCAOR and Bharati for voice, video and data.
The maiden South Pole Expedition- The enigma of South Pole attracted Indian Scientists ever since setting feet on the icy continent. There were several plans made since 1984, soon after first wintering over at DakshinGangotri Station, but these had to be given up at the planning stage itself due to lack of logistic capability. To commemorate Amundsen’s historical expedition to South Pole, as also to mark thirty years of Indian presence in Antarctica, first scientific expedition to South Pole from Indian Station `Maitri’ was launched in year 2010. The basic purpose was to establish the capability of penetrating deeper into continent for conducting meaningful science in inland areas of Antarctica beyond the mountain Chain of Dronning Maud land. On a customized version of Toyota Hilux vehicle - Arctic Trucks, an eight member team covered 2300 km in 9 days with regular halts for collecting snow and ice samples reaching South Pole on 21st November 2010. The return journey was punctuated with frequent break downs, major causalities were suffered by radiators, fuel pumps, axels which were quite expected due to normal wear and tear caused by the massive sastrugis and the extreme cold temperatures touching 57 degree Celsius below zero. After a short stay at the South Pole, the team returned to Maitri on 1st December 2010 with valuable scientific data, lot of experience and ideas for inland traverses that will guide the future of scientific research in Indian Programme.
IP based EPABX systems are installed at Maitri, Bharati and NCAOR in the year 2015-16 for providing seamless phone connectivity between Antarctic stations and NCAOR.
Design and development of pre-fabricated mobile living / laboratory structures for teams working in outdoor areas at Maitri and Bharati stations.
Laboratories, workshops, and all utility areas and living modules around Maitri and Bharati stations are linked through fibre optic cables and warless transponders for remote operation of instruments and data transfer. WiFi facility installed and made functional at both the stations.
Web-based application, Bharati-TIMES was developed and being used for the management and elucidation of technical issues related to the life support systems of the station. In-house development of the itinerary management tools for the Antarctic expeditions.
Operational supports to scientific projects. Scientific outcome can only be as good as the logistics support and in last decade there has not been any failure which perhaps is a testimony to our in house knowledge of making things happen in Antarctica.
