Overland and air transport facilities of Soviet Antarctic expeditions

Abstract

When research under the IGY programme began in Antarctica, the Soviet Union undertook the task of studying vast areas of the sector south of the Indian Ocean.In 1956, the First Combined Antarctic Expedition headed by M. M. Somov set up the main base, Mirny observatory, on the Davis Sea coast. This was followed by five subsequent expeditions inland during which new stations have been established hi the heart of Antarctica.