TARA polar station, FR

A government commissioner, designated by the French Ministry of the Interior, takes part in the meetings and plays an advisory role, ensuring that the statutes and promotion of the public interest are upheld by the activities of the Tara Ocean Foundation.

Contact

Head of Operations: Clementine Moulin

Location

Central Arctic Ocean

Website

https://fondationtaraocean.org/en/schooner/tara-polar-station/

Facilities

Tara Polar Station is currently being built. First tests and training will be in 2025. The first transpolar drift is planned to start August 2026 with therefor a first summer period around April 2027. Station will only be able to welcome RI users in the summer during the drift phase as in the winter the team will remain on board for 8 months. However, in the summer, they plan to have rotations after 2 or 3 months.

Equipment: Fixed scientific equipment : GPS, ADCP, Sonars (38 & 120kHz), Rosette carrousel, winch fitted with 1500m EM cable, TSG system, Seawater biological pumps (30L/min), chemical Hoods, Biosafety cabinet, freezers -20°, +4°C and -80°C, LN2 generator, 2 diving gears. Space can welcome inline system, ROV.

Availability for access

Not available in the first call.

Time frame for access preparation

Summer 2025 during the test phase in the Fram straight.
Summer 2027 during the first transpolar drift in the central arctic ocean.

Permits, licenses and training and Medical guidelines

RI users in the case of Tara Polar Station will need to be able to face Arctic conditions: isolation & confinement and will need to follow the guidelines put in place (work in progress).