The Discovery Building
The Discovery Building will be a new world-class scientific support and operations facility at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica.
Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme
The Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme will transform how British Antarctic Survey enables and supports frontier science. Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), this long-term programme will enable a world-leading capability to ensure that Britain remains at the forefront of climate, biodiversity and ocean research in the Polar Regions. Together with the commissioning of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, this programme represents the largest Government investment in polar science infrastructure since the 1980s.
Infrastructure Project Management Teams
Delivering the Antarctic infrastructure modernisation programme
Rothera Research Station Modernisation
Over the next decade Rothera Research Station will be upgraded to ensure its facilities keep the UK at the forefront of climate, biodiversity and ocean research.
Bird Island Research Station Modernisation
A new jetty and logistics facilities for Bird Island
Signy Research Station Modernisation
Modernising the UK's summer-only Antarctic research station
King Edward Point Research Station Modernisation
New mooring and boating facilities for South Georgia's fisheries research station
A new polar research ship for Britain: project delivery
A new research platform to put UK scientists at the forefront of polar science
Halley Research Station relocation
In 2017 Antarctica's first re-locatable research station was moved successfully 23 km inland to avoid the path of large cracks in the ice
Operational strategy
Supporting science and managing our assets
Sustainability
The Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) Sustainability Strategy comprises eight major sustainability themes.
Future Air Capability
The Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) will invest in a new aircraft and runway enhancements to provide an essential link between South America and the Falkland Islands to Rothera Research Station in Antarctica.
BAS Strategy
Addressing the challenge to decrease our carbon budget and live and work more sustainably
The commissioning of the RRS Sir David Attenborough and its associated infrastructure modernisation programme represents the UK Government‘s largest investment in polar science since the 1980s. Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, this ambitious suite of projects will ensure Britain’s continued position as a world leader in the field of polar environmental science.
The BAS Infrastructure Project Management Team is working with colleagues in NERC’s Programme Management Office, Technical Advisors Ramboll and construction partner BAM to deliver an ambitious infrastructure modernisation programme at the UK’s Antarctic research facilities.
Projects include:
- Rothera Research Station Modernisation – UK Antarctic Hub. Over the next decade, the station will undergo a comprehensive modernisation programme to ensure that its facilities continue to enable world-leading research by BAS scientists and the wider UK polar science community
- Bird Island Research Station modernisation, South Georgia: to improve the facility and working conditions for research teams, improve energy use, and prepare the operational aspects of the station to ensure safe people and cargo discharge from the RRS Sir David Attenborough
- Signy Research Station modernisation. Enhancements will include a longer, more robust jetty, enhanced storage and cargo handling facilities to reduce the need for manual lifting, and improved living spaces
- King Edward Point Research Station modernisation on South Georgia requires a new wharf so that the new ship can moor safely and resupply the station.