Exploring the Unknown and Breaking the Limits

Exploring the Unknown and Breaking the Limits

— A Record of China’s 40th Antarctic Expedition

On November 1^st, we set out from Shanghai

Drifting at sea after departure from the land

Far away from the twinkling lights of human society

When we passed through the westerlies

The waves rose up to 5 m high

Splashing against the windows of the third-floor room

After we had entered the ice zone

The weather became cold

Surrounded by vast snow

The Xuelong polar icebreaker forged ahead

I suddenly realized

I was already in the “No Man’s Land”

As if I had had a dream
A dream that never woke up

Set Sail for Antarctica

SEUer’s Antarctic Scientific Expedition

Enter Antarctica

On December 1^st, I finally stepped onto the barren land

Before we even ventured out on the sea ice

We encountered unexpected difficulties

An experienced veteran team member

Turned to me and said sincerely

“Qihang, this is Antarctica”

This is our daily life here

(Waiting for rescue)

Let’s go, I’m ready

(Coinciding with the polar day)

(Encountering penguins)

Advance into Kunlun

Kunlun Station is known as the harshest place in Antarctica

When advancing inland

We truly detached from human society

Without any signals

We were cut off from the world

Accompanied by 29 Antarctic scientific expedition members

We were the most isolated explorers on this planet

At Kunlun Station

My primary task

Was to maintain and upgrade

The unmanned intelligent power system from SEU

Replace the energy storage modules of the original system

Add a new photovoltaic control system

And ensure stable power supply for expedition equipment in extreme environments

With temperatures dipping below 40°C

And an altitude of 4087 meters

I felt obviously hard to breathe

To maintain the normal operation of the equipment

I even had to remove my insulated cold-resistantsuit

To enter the workspace

With perseverance and hard work

The new photovoltaic system and unmanned intelligent power system

Were successfully put into operation

This achievement has helped us gain a deeper understanding of the polar regions

We should protect them and utilize the resources effectively

Return Journey

Originally, I had anticipated a smooth journey back

But reality dealt me a harsh blow

A Category 13 hurricane robbed us of visibility between vehicles

Quickly leading to the dispersal of our convoy

After getting off, my glasses were soon covered in snow

Upon returning to our quarters

We were prohibited from venturing outside to avoid the storm

When the storm finally subsided two days later

The flat campsite now buried beneath snowdrifts

We went out to dig out the vehicles that had been buried in the snow

After six hours of arduous labor

We were finally able to regroup and set up camp in a new location

This ends to be my last impressivememory of Antarctica

As time passed

The sea ice nearly melted

We finally awaited the return of the Xuelong polar icebreaker

Reflecting on my time in the Antarctic scientific expedition

We encountered many challenges

But with the united efforts of every team member

We got through the difficult time

And returned safely

China, my motherland and SEU

Served as my strongest pillars

Enabling me to brave the perils

And forge ahead

Before my departure

I brought a penguin doll with me to Antarctica

I bring it back safely now

Indeed, this doll represents not only my sentiment to my university

But also a part of my personal life

Dreams may fade

But my scientific expedition story seems to continue

And I know that

It is always on the road