First sunrise

After four months with seeing the Sun rise above the horizon the crew of Concordia research station welcome its return from the rooftop.
During the Antarctic summer some 60 scientists live and work on the base conducting research on the icy plateau 3200 m above sea level.
When winter comes, the skeleton crew of up to 15 keep the base running and fend for themselves for nine months – no help can be flown in as temperatures drop to –80ºC.
Preparing for exploration of our Solar System, ESA runs life-science experiments on the crew as they adapt to life in these harsh conditions.
Read more in the Concordia blog