Concordia sunset

Sunset at Concordia research base in Antarctica. During winter the Sun stays below the horizon for around four months. 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, they leave a skeleton crew of up to 15 to 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.