The XX Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica, which was flagged off onboard a German Vessel Magdalena Oldendorff on 30 Dec 2000 from Cape Town, South Africa reached Antarctica on 9th January 2001, under the leadership of Mr. Mervin D' Souza, a geologist from the Geological Survey of India, Faridabad.

The XX expedition to Antarctica consists of 51 members including a total of 38 scientists drawn from nineteen national scientific institutions. The team includes a contingent of 24 members who will winter over in Antarctica. The logistic and medical support to the expedition is being provided by a contingent from the Indian Army and doctors from the ITBP.

In addition to the ongoing programs, this expedition will induct several new experiments, which inter-alia include:

Measurement of the ice thickness to understand the sub ice stratigraphy by ground probe radar profiling.

Studies on human biology with the aim to understand the practical problems in the stress survival mechanism in adverse Antarctic conditions.

Influence of aerosol on the atmospheric radiation budget and climate over Antarctica.

Plankton distribution and their energy pattern in fresh water lakes.

A salient feature of this expedition is the participation of two scientists from Germany who will collaborate with the Indian scientists in the ongoing Planetary Geodetic studies for accurate measurement of the vertical and lateral movement of the Antarctic plate on a millimeter scale. As many as ten experiments to be conducted during the course of the expedition which will directly contribute to the international scientific campaigns under the aegis of Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).

The brief scientific objectives of this expedition are as follows:

A. Atmospheric Sciences

Continuation of:

Geomagnetic studies using fluxgate magnetometers and riometers

Climatological data archival.

VLF propagation studies.

B. Earth Sciences & Glaciology

Continuation of:

Geological mapping and Glaciological observations.

Tele-seismic propagation studies.

Planetary geodetic measurements.

The new experiments to be initiated are:

Topographical mapping.

Ground probe radar survey.

Hydrograhpic survey of Antarctic water.

Ice shelf crack propagation studies.

C. Global Change

Continuation of:

Snow drift and Albedo measurements.

Aerosol radiative forcing mechanism.

Palyno-stratigraphic studies of the lakes.

D. Biological Science & Environment conservation

Continuation of bio-ecological studies of micro-plankton.

Continuation of Environment impact assessment studies through assessment of existing status of air, noise, water, biological and land environment parameters.

Initiation of studies on biodegradation of organic wastes.

E. Human Biology & Medicine

The studies proposed to be carried out include:

Leptin neuropeptide status of human subjects in relation to food intake and

Stress survival in Antarctica-coping mechanism.

G. Engineering & Communication

Continuation of:

Structural engineering studies.

Adaptive communication technologies.

Wind energy utilisation and application of fuel cells in Antarctica.