Construction of Fuel and Satellite Platform
During the 2009-2010 Antarctic summer season, completing the final tests of all the active systems in the Princess Elisabeth Station was not the only feat of the BELARE team. Besides constructing a fuel platform, which will prevent the oil drums from being covered in snow, the team built a satellite platform and assembled a satellite antenna which, once linked to the PLC, will allow all the energy systems of the station to be monitored and adjusted remotely.
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January 2010, construction of the fuel platform.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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View of the construction from the platform.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Fixing the grills onto the structure.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Anchoring the foundations of the structure.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Using the angle grinder to work on the structure.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Alain Hubert at work between the cables and the tools.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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David Gladsteen, expedition cameraman, doesn't miss any of the action.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Assembling the structure: 60m in total.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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The crane lends a hand.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Alain Hubert working on the platform.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Paul Herman.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Pierre Soete, doctor, installing the grills.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Nighat Amin at the building site.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Scientific shelter on the ridge on the north side of the station.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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François Tilmans.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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The fuel drums lined up neatly on the new platform.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Pierre takes care of the foundations for the posts of the structure.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Assembling the satellite antenna.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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The internal structure of the satellite antenna.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Assembling the external shell of the satellite antenna.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Attaching the satellite dish to the crane.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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Building the base for the satellite antenna next to the station.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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The satellite antenna being put into its base.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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The final steps in setting up the Princess Elisabeth's satellite antenna.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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The satellite connection has been functioning since February 5th, 2010.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
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A view of the station as night slowly falls in Antarctica.
© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
