Under the auspices of the Presidency and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the 10th National Antarctic Science Expedition (TAE X), conducted by the TÜBİTAK Polar Research Institute (KARE), will take place between 26 January 2026 and 1 March 2026. As part of the expedition, a team of 17 people, including 16 Turkish and 1 foreign researchers, set off from Istanbul to the White Continent to carry out scientific studies in Antarctica.
Following the ceremony held at Istanbul Airport to bid farewell to the 10th National Antarctic Science Expedition team, our Minister of Industry and Technology, Mr. Mehmet Fatih Kacır, made remarks on the matter, highlighting the importance of polar expeditions:
“Since 2017, our Turkish scientists have been conducting polar science expeditions under the patronage of our President. To date, we have organised 9 Antarctic and 5 Arctic expeditions; over 200 Turkish scientists have participated in these expeditions and been involved in over 150 scientific research projects. We have also hosted over 30 foreign researchers on these expeditions to date. Undoubtedly, these expeditions enable the Turkish scientific community to carry out high-quality scientific research projects in polar regions with exceptional terrestrial conditions. We, too, are striving to ensure that these expeditions are carried out under the most suitable conditions within the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the TÜBİTAK Polar Research Institute.
Minister Kacır noted that 17 scientists, including one guest from abroad, and accompanying delegation members will conduct high-quality research in Antarctica, particularly on climate change, throughout the expedition. "They will also carry out a number of studies that are a continuation of the research we began in previous years. Our goal is to gain “Consultative Party” status within the Antarctic Treaty System and to establish a permanent Turkish Scientific Research Station in Antarctica. The studies to be carried out at the Turkish Scientific Research Camp currently located in Antarctica will make valuable contributions towards these goals. To date, we have collaborated with 35 different international institutions. In this sense, polar research expeditions also make valuable contributions to Türkiye's stronger presence on the global scientific stage."
Minister Kacır emphasised that ‘the South and North Poles now feature at the top of every country's and international agenda,’ adding, "We also need to advance our scientific capabilities to higher levels in all these endeavours. The research that Turkish scientists will carry out through these scientific expeditions will make valuable contributions to Türkiye's industrial and technological vision, the goals we have set out in the 2030 Industry and Technology Strategy, and our Türkiye Century vision."
Minister Kacır noted that our scientists were accompanied this year by three high school students from Aydın and Ankara who won the TEKNOFEST Polar Research Project Competition, saying, "I would like to congratulate our high school students, their teachers and their families. Participating in such an expedition at high school age is actually one of the most important indicators of the vision Türkiye offers its young people for the future. Here is Turkish youth, here is the TEKNOFEST generation! With their excitement for scientific research extending to the poles, they will be Türkiye's bright future."
What Work Will the 10th National Antarctic Science Expedition Team Carry Out?
As part of the expedition, a team of 17 people, including 16 Turkish and 1 Bulgarian researchers, will carry out fieldwork for the TÜBİTAK Kutup 1001 projects. During the expedition, annual data will be collected from the low-frequency (VLF) measurement station established jointly with the USA, maintenance/upkeep work will be carried out at the Turkish Scientific Research Camp located on Horseshoe Island, long-term monitoring studies will be conducted, maintenance will be performed on our GNSS stations, and work will continue on the nautical charting of Horseshoe Island and its surroundings.
