Must be a sacred temperament to pass the test of fitness to wintering based Concordia research centre among the most isolated of the planet. Only sixteen scientists and technicians are admitted each year. The French Polar Institute, who share management with his Italian counterpart, has concocted a true "road book" of adventurer to rally site at latitude 75 South: flight to the antipodes for Paris, then 2,400 km in the cargo through the roaring forties, to the Italian base of Terra Nova Bay, where they join the dome C (as Concordia) in aircraft, in pushing towards the horizon sorry to 1.200 km of the coast. "And it is only a starting point," says Michel Munoz, plumber makes training and responsible for the logistics of the base since its inauguration four years ago.
During the nine months of their southern wintering, researchers will indeed have to endure darkness (the night is total between May and July), but also family remoteness (satellite connections are slow and often interrupted point), promiscuity (facilities, including habitat, that occupy 1,500 square metres in two connected towers) and isolation (news of the world reach a weekly rhythm). And no question of taking the air: there is at the altitude of 3.300 metres a temperature of-65 degrees C on average, with peaks at-110 degrees. Little wind fortunately. One, a stroller must remain within VHF reach. Beyond that, the rules needed to be accompanied, as in diving. "On this high plateau, there is nothing." It is flat, white and cold. "In comparison, the Sahara is a real zoo", reflects the photographer Guillaume Dargaud, who spent weeks on-site.
Autonomy, a matter of survival
Before starting their work, scientists must comply with a series of formations, far removed from their specialty. The main risk fire, the obsession of technical managers. To assist scientists, one-third of the team on-site handles the logistics. With its closest neighbours at 550 km (the Russian Vostok base), autonomy is a matter of survival. There is therefore an electro-mechanical technician, a diéséliste, an electrician, a Cook, and also a physician, who must train its medics among the present workforce.
"All these constraints weighing on the mood, recognizes Michel Munoz. "But no winter looks to another: everything depends on the personalities, research, weather, and activities of the symbiosis that occurs or not in the group. Concordia dedicated a close budget of EUR 4 million for its functioning, including the chartering, diesel fuel expenditures, satellite communications and raids of supply. A convoy of 10 vehicles set in motion three times per year to the dome in food products, spare parts and diesel fuel, since the base of Dumont d'Urville, 1.145 km distant. The consideration is an exceptional site for many disciplines: glaciologists, who can access the older archives of the climate in the thickness of the ice; astrophysicists served by pure and dry air for observations in the infrared; Geophysicists to measure seismic and magnetic variations from the disturbances of the world not to mention from psychologists study the adaptation of individuals in the containment
We have applied the idea throughout the systemIt ceased to argue so far to move up a gear1 billion euros but also in transport energy spaceThe Germany also made statements to this effectParis and Berlin say that there is a middle wayThis new alliance can be decrypted in several waysIn Europe the discussions are just beginningIt does not account for its effects on the environmentAmong the UMP troops is the embarrassment which prevailsUnthinkable for the countries of the South and the NGO
