Simon Station
Simon Station | |
|---|---|
Antargic Research Station | |
 | |
| Location in Antargis | King Tomasso Land |
| Administered by | Trans-Continental Science Initiative |
| Established | 14 January 2018 |
| Named for | Crown Prince Simon of the Sunset Sea Islands |
| Population (2018)[1] | |
| • Total | 45 |
| Time zone | UTC-9 (Andallan Standard Time) |
| Type | All year-round |
| Period | Annual |
| Status | Operational |
Simon Station is a research station located in King Tomasso Land, Antargis. It was established on 4 January 2018 and is operated by the Trans-Continental Science Initiative. The primary objective of the station is scientific research and is known for being located in a remote part of Antargis, where there are no humans for hundreds, if not thousands, of kilometres in any given direction.
The station is designed to accommodate researchers and staff. Facilities at the station include the staff dormitories and the radio control room, among others. The station's isolation offers a unique environment to conduct studies, with the spectacular view of the aurora borealis being a frequent occurrence. This incredible isolation has been both a draw for researchers seeking undisturbed conditions for their studies and a challenge in terms of logistics and psychological well-being. Yves Trémarec currently serves as the commander of Simon Station, overseeing its operations and the research being conducted there.
Research
Research at Simon Station has covered various fields, including astronomy, meteorology, and biology. Among the notable researches:
- Meteorological Studies: Led by young meteorologist Kristoffer, the station frequently launches weather balloons to gather atmospheric data. However, there have been recent challenges with this, including a significant weather balloon failure due to human error, resulting in the tether not being released.
- Biological Studies: Roland Kolsrud, a biologist, has been studying albatrosses and their feeding habits.[2] The station also had a program tracking penguins, though there was an incident where some of these penguins were lost.[3]
Challenges
Simon Station has faced several challenges during its operation:
- Logistical Challenges: The station's isolated location makes supply deliveries critical. There have been behind-schedule shipments in the past, which have even risked staff starvation.[4]
- Technical Difficulties: Recent failures at the station include power outages and a heating system malfunction.[5]
- Safety Concerns: There were two deaths of technicians in March 2019, raising safety concerns.[6]
However, despite these challenges, there have been rumours of an increase in funding and resources for the station to improve its operations and success rate in research endeavours.
See also
References
- ↑ Antargic Adventures at Simon Station (14 January 2018)
- ↑ Radio Control Room | 1605hrs 27th April 2020 Simon Station, King Tomasso Land Antargis -18.8°C (30 April 2020)
- ↑ Observation Room | 1040hrs AST 15th January 2018 Simon Station, King Tomasso Land Antargis -4.8°C (25 January 2018)
- ↑ 12:30 Uhr, Simon Station, Antargis, -17.6°C (30 May 2018)
- ↑ 05:41 Uhr, Simon Station, Antargis, -37.6°C (10 July 2018)
- ↑ Neue Meignitzer Zeitung, Two technicians die at ISTC research station in Antargis (27 March 2019)
