Rothera runway

The runway at Rothera is 900 metres long (2,950 ft) and is made of crushed rock.

To the west of the runway lies the aircraft hangar, which houses the Dash-7 and three Twin Otter aircraft protecting them from the harshest weather. Within the shelter of the hangar, aircfraft engineers carry out all the necessary servicing of the aircraft.

Rothera Research Station Hangar, with Twin Otter and Dash 7 aircraft

To the west also are the bulk fuel storage tanks, which are re-filled from ship each summer. The tank farm is surrounded by a bund wall that would contain the fuel if ever there was a spillage.

Well-equipped workshops are found in the centre of the site. Being in such a remote part of the world we have to be able to maintain all the station buildings, vehicles and equipment without outside help. There is a garage, and separate work areas for electricians, plumbers and builders.

Rothera Runway showing the landing lights

The generator shed houses three Cummins engines that produce the stations electrical power need. In recent years improved management and use of new technologies have allowed us to reduce our overall electrical demand. There is currently a study into the use of suitable renewable energy sources compatible with the Antarctic environment and endemic wildlife.

Our water supply is provided through the use of ‘reverse osmosis’ filtration technology to convert sea water into potable fresh water. In the past, fresh water was produced by melting snow but this was always an energy-hungry solution.

1. Air Infrastructure

   The Rothera Air Infrastructure project is part of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) future phases.

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1. A new chapter for Rothera Research Station: inside the Operations Tower

   As Rothera Research Station continues its modernisation programme, Matt Hughes, Tower Operations Supervisor, shares his thoughts on the transition to our new Operations Tower, marking a significant milestone in Antarctic […]

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2. Eliot’s reflections on working at Rothera Research Station

   For some people, working in Antarctica is a lifelong dream. For others, like Eliot Perez, Assistant Project Manager for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme, that dream became a reality nine […]

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3. Katie’s Journey to Antarctica

   As the Antarctic winter season fast approaches, we’ll be following the journey of one of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme’s (AIMP) Assistant Project Managers, Katie Handford as she gears up to spend winter at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica.

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4. ANTARCTIC BLOG: Science from the air #2

   The altimeter in the front of the Twin Otter aircraft is showing 8500 ft as we cruise due south from Rothera research station for the next leg in our PolarGAP […]

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1. UK investment in polar research reaches milestone with opening of new Antarctic hub

   Scientists working in Antarctica will benefit from a major new British Antarctic Survey (BAS) facility that demonstrates the UK’s position as a world leader in polar research.

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2. 12 February 2025: Postcard from Rothera Research Station

   Here’s our fifth postcard from Rothera, where exciting changes are transforming our largest Antarctic research station this month.

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3. New Year Honour for British Antarctic Survey’s Head of Air Unit 

   Rod Arnold, Head of the Air Unit at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list for services to Polar Science and Aviation in British Antarctic Territory. 

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4. BAS wins national award for runway resurfacing project

   British Antarctic Survey has won the Gold Award at the National Building and Construction Awards 2024 for ‘The Project of the Year (£10 million to £25 million)’. 

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5. Modernisation milestones achieved in Antarctica

   Construction teams have completed significant stages of the British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme and joined the over-wintering staff for the first time as the 2023/24 summer season ended.  

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6. Antarctic Runway is upgraded to support UK hub for polar science

   As part of the British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP), the runway at Rothera Research Station has successfully been resurfaced by construction company BAM and the design completed by Ramboll.

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7. Modernising our stations: news from Rothera

   Construction in the Antarctic is challenging and the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) has made great progress at Rothera Research Station. The programme will transform how the British Antarctic Survey enables and supports polar science.

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8. Love on Ice: Engineers’ Antarctic Engagement Sparks Warmth

   Engineers Tania Alvarez and Jose Valverde have celebrated their engagement at one of the world’s southmost locations,  British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic peninsula.

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9. Update on construction season in Antarctica

   Modernising Antarctic Infrastructure for Future Generations of Polar Scientists Specialist construction teams are travelling home to the UK after five months of work in Antarctica to modernise British Antarctic Survey […]

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10. New aircraft investment supports polar science

    On 17 March 2022, Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey, Nigel Bird, Director of Major Programmes at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Brian Love, Chief […]

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