Oct. 18 – The Ministry of Education, Research and University is financing the Mario Zucchelli mission to the South Pole, part of the PNRA program for South Pole research. The mission is the 28th summer mission, and will take place in Baia Terra Nova, near the Ross Sea. The base opening came after the necessary materials were shipped alongside the technical crew to the ENEA managed Christchurch office. The first group flew to the American McMurdo base, and now has the task to reactivate access to the Italian base and work through logistics. Scientific activities will begin on October 26, after the marine ice helicopter landing pad, 2.5 meters thick, is set up for the scientific team’s arrival on October 23 onboard of the Hercules. A group of Italian and French technicians will be transferred on November 6 to the Concordia Italian and French Station, open all year round, to reactivate the summer camp activities in Dome C. Thus, the winter research group, completing their 9th month in “isolation” will finally be able to head home. The ninth winter campaign for Concordia will begin on February 7 2013 and will conclude on November 6, 2013.
