ASTRE Network Supports Climate Expedition “Polar Pod” at the South Pole

The European logistics network ASTRE is one of the main sponsors of the ‘Polar Pod’ expedition, which is set to explore the waters at the South Pole starting in 2024. This is the next project of the renowned French polar explorer Jean-Louis Étienne, who was the first person to reach the North Pole alone. With the Polar Pod research platform, he aims to study the ocean currents around the southern polar cap and gain new insights into climate change.

(Le Plessis Pâté) The core of the project is the Polar Pod, a research platform that will drift with the ocean currents around the South Pole for two years. It is 100 meters long and weighs 1,000 tons. The unique feature of the platform is its operation. It is towed to its starting location, where it rights itself using ballast tanks and thus floats vertically in the sea. This principle is based on the ‘FLIP’ platform, a research vessel of the US Navy that has been used with this method since the 1960s and has been unique until now. In this way, the Polar Pod remains stable in the water even in heavy seas and storms, while the lack of propulsion and the immersion depth are important for unobtrusive measurements of sounds, currents, and other aspects. Construction of the platform will begin in January 2022.

Investigation of CO₂ Exchange Between Air and Sea

The mission is conducted by Jean-Louis Étienne. The famous French polar explorer has carried out several extensive expeditions at the North and South Poles since the 1980s, aiming to highlight the importance of these regions. The main goal of the Polar Pod mission is to investigate the CO₂ exchange between air and sea to explore the significance of the oceans as CO₂ sinks in the context of climate change. In addition to this aspect, other fields will also be researched, such as the effects of acidification, wave dynamics, and noise development in the oceans. The platform itself is completely self-sufficient and emission-free to minimize its impact on the ecosystem being studied.

Taking Responsibility

Denis Baudouin, president of the ASTRE network, explains the reasons for supporting the project: ‘As the largest European logistics network, we also have a high responsibility. It is important for us to promote sustainability and emission reduction, which is why we have already established a number of different projects within ASTRE. Supporting the Polar Pod expedition was therefore an important step for us to advance research in this area. Moreover, it is a special honor to support one of the most renowned French polar researchers in his work as a European network with French origins. We are very excited about the results of the expedition and proud to be part of a unique project.’

Photo: © Polar Pod