Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

GLOBAL ARCTIC OCEAN SEA ICE THICKNESS MEASURMENT  

Outline
Everybody knows how it is difficult to measure the thickness of the ice which cover the Arctic Ocean. Christian Haas and his colleague have designed and experimented with success an EMI device towed by helicopter. The idea come to me to hang it under un dirigible. From one point to an other of the Arctic Circumference we could cover a very large part on the Arctic Ocean. I have been in touch already with Zeppelin et Sky Ship. Sky Ship could be able to make a special blimp for the arctic expedition in April-Mai 2007. An other advantage of the dirigible: - It is possible to land almost everywhere, make a hole, use ADCP for current measurement and CTD profile. - It is a platform for some others instruments

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Thickness profiles across the Arctic Ocean are urgently required for a concise interpretation of ice thickness and its change. We will contribute with de European Space Agency at the CryoSat validation campaigns.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
So far : - European Space Agency - Jerome Benveniste. ESRIN . Directorat of Earth Observation Programmes. EO Science and Applications Dpt - Alfred Wagener Institute with EMI device (Christian Haas - Germany) - Septième Continent (France) expedition organizer

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The air ship specially designed (8000 cubic meter) will have a coast-to-coast range. Including some stops every 100 Nautical miles on the ice; the longest fly across will take 50 hours. We plan to do 10 to 15 transects from early April to the end of may 2007 or 2008 according to time needed for the air ship adaptations for the Polar Region.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: April-May 2007      April-May 2008      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This sea ice thickness measurement campaign is base on the use of the Air ship. This dirigible is a platform that can be used for some others programs. The instruments have not to be too heavy; we are extremely depending of the weight.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own support
Other sources of support

The air ship will be own and operate by a private company. Other source of support means that we could need aeroplane on the ice.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - It is a non-governmental project. Dr Gérard JUGIE, Director of the Institut Polaire Français - Paul Emile Victor, has been informed. He has suggest me to fill up this Expression of Intent

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organised and managed by the French company: - Septième Continent. 11 rue Caulaincourt - 75018 PARIS - France Dr Jean-Louis ETIENNE, the expedition’s leader, supervise the global organisation: rising money, logistic, scientific program coordination, educational program, media. Jean-Louis ETIENNE previous expeditions : By dogs ledge : 1989-90 Trans Antarctica International Expedition on dogs ledge ( 4 000 miles in 7 months) Co leader with the American Will Steger Aboard the polar vessel "Antarctica" 1991-92 Patagonia, Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula 1993-94 Mount Erebus volcano in Antarctica 1995-96 Arctic wintering in Spitsbergen, Svalbard Islands 2002 Arctic Drift from the North Pole a board the Polar Observer Biodiversity Expedition 2004-05 Clipperton Island

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The last 15 years I have run several “real time“ Educational Program on Internet with the French ministry of education. You can see the Educational Program of the two last expeditions (Arctic Drift and Clipperton) on the web site : sorry, only in French. http://www.jeanlouisetienne.com

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Journal and photos will be sending every day on the Expedition’s Web site. Most of the scientific data, comment and concern about the future of the Arctic will be developed and accessible. The scientific work on the field is a real adventure. Sharing on “real time“ the adventure on Internet and media, is an opportunity to catch the attention and the awareness of the public. We have an agreement with the Ministry of Education for the school’s program.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The funding will come from private sources.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This is an exciting and very attractive project. It is also an expensive adventure and, according to the money I can rise, we can make it richer. For example, it will be interesting to do two campaigns in order to compare the sea ice thickness from the end of the winter (April-May) and at the end of the summer season (August). I will know better in a few months.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Jean-Louis ETIENNE
Septième Continent
11 rue Caulaincourt.
PARIS
75018
France

Tel: +33 1 42 29 04 01
Mobile: +33 6 03 46 70 93
Fax: +33 1 42 29 06 30
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation