Construction of Tara Polar Station
Where is Tara Polar Station?The construction of Tara Polar Station started in Cherbourg
After 5 years of design, Tara Ocean Foundation program moved from plans to reality. Construction of the new vessel designed for Arctic observation and scientific research began. The shipyard has been entrusted to Constructions mécaniques de Normandie (CMN) in Cherbourg.
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The first piece of the future drifting polar base was laid.
The moon-pool, the central part of the construction, was on the assembly table. This first symbolic moment confirmed the progress of the building site!
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Olivier Poivre d’Arvor visited the construction site.
On Friday, September 29 his Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, French Ambassador for the Poles and Maritime Issues visited the shipyard.
The Polar station is taking shape
Construction of Tara Polar Station is progressing on the Cherbourg construction site.
Tara Polar Station: Studying the Arctic to step up research on climate change and biodiversity.
“The Arctic Ocean recorded one of the lowest sea ice thickness at the end of winter. Time is running ut for its largely unknown biodiversity.”
— alerted Chris Bowler, CNRS research director at the Ecole normale superieure (ENS° and chairman of the scientific committee of Tara Ocean Foundation.
Timelapse of the first months of construction
After fitting the assembly table and the moon pool, the central piece of the construction, the 2cm-thick hull is being assembled. A real technical challenge is being met!
The power of teamwork
The Tara Ocean Foundation teams had the opportunity to discover the Tara Polar Station construction site at Constructions Mécaniques de Cherbourg. It was a very inspiring moment. The team is more than ever ready to expand its actions: Tara + Tara Polar Station.
Assembly and welding of the hull
All the metal plating for the hull’s exterior skin is assembled. More than 6,000 pieces are needed for the hull. Welding is almost complete.
First geode demouldings
The first two exterior elements of the geode have been demoulded. Welding is in progress. The assembly table for the entire geode is in place, along with the first compartments.
Features
A drifting observatory and scientific laboratory
Once locked in sea ice, Tara Polar Station’s purpose will be to strengthen French and international research on the Arctic environment, among the most extreme on our planet, to better understand the impact of climate change on biodiversity and the adaptive abilities of endemic species.
360° view of Tara Polar Station
3D views of Tara Polar Station, a 27-m drifting polar base, designed in collaboration with architect Olivier Petit. This “North Pole ISS” will be able to withstand temperatures between -20° and -52°C . The station will host a crew of 12 in winter and up to 18 in summer.
Focus on the construction of Tara Polar Station
The drifting scientific polar base, Tara Polar Station, will embark scientists from all over the world on multiple successive drifts until 2045. Climatologists, biologists, physicists, glaciologists, oceanographers, artists, physicians, journalists and sailors will collaborate and live together aboard Tara Polar Station to conduct observations and in situ measurements in temperatures ranging between -20° and -52°C during the polar night in winter.
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