Scientists of MAI Are Planning a Trip on an Airship through the Arctic

Scientists and engineers from Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), the Russian Geographical Society and Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR) are working on a project of a round-the-world flight on an airship through the South and North Poles. This was said on the sidelines of the V International Arctic Forum “The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue” by lead engineer of the TUSUR development commercialization office Vera Pudkova.

“It is planned to fly through two poles, this will be the first flight on the airship of such kind. The main goal is to study the ocean, land, atmosphere, as well as check all possible of scientific equipment in critical conditions, including the extreme conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic. We are in the planning phase now and invite everyone who wants to test their equipment,” – said Vera Pudkova.

According to Pudkova, specialists of the Russian Geographical Society will be responsible for choosing the route, engineers from MAI will be in charge of the airship, and scientists from TUSUR will work out the scientific content of the expedition.

The implementation of the project is planned in the coming years. “The start of the expedition is scheduled for 2021,”- Pudkova added.

The V International Arctic Forum “The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue” was held in St. Petersburg on April 9–10. In 2019, the forum is dedicated to the topic “Arctic. Ocean of opportunity.”