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.

 

view of a runway from the air with icy waters and snowy mountain surrounding the runway.
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The side of a large blue building in a snowy environment

The Discovery Building

The Discovery Building will be a new world-class scientific support and operations facility at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica.

The RRS James Clark Ross moored up at the new Rothera Wharf

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.

A view of a snow covered slope.

Sustainability

The Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) Sustainability Strategy comprises eight major sustainability themes.

A plane flying over a body of water

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.

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: