A dozen people are about to undergo an incredible journey, all in the name of science.

For eight long months, they won’t leave the confines of a laboratory drifting across the Arctic Ocean — an oval-shaped, 88-foot, alien-looking vessel called Tara Polaris I.

They won’t even see the sun for most of that time, in a place where average winter temperatures sit at minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit.

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And this journey is just the first of 10 research drifts planned over the next 20 years by the Tara Ocean Foundation. But why are they doing it?

The research covers a broad range: studying the human ability to endure extremes, serving as a trial run for future deep-space exploration to Mars and uncovering secrets about our own planet’s changing climate by analyzing the biodiversity of the world’s fastest-warming region.

Human study

Before we zoom out to the planet or even farther, space, let’s start with the smallest, but not least important, subject of this study: the human individual.

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This crew consists of scientists, sailors, a media professional and a physician.

The Antarctic Concordia Station is located in one of the harshest, most isolated environments on Earth, and it serves as a vital comparison point for all aspects of the Tara Polaris I experiment.

At Concordia Station, people also spend months completely cut off from the rest of the world. The Tara Polaris I team underwent the same psychological screening given to those at Concordia.

Data will be collected on the crew's physical and psychological states. Their health will be monitored, including sleep, stress and cognitive performance, as they cope with the challenges of the dark and cold winter months.

Space study

Maybe somewhat surprisingly, these missions on our very own planet could be incredibly valuable to our understanding of space exploration.

Crew comparisons from Concordia Station to Tara Polaris I are especially useful in this case.

“While Concordia is similar to a habitat on a white Mars, Tara will be more like the spaceship traveling toward it,” said Carmen Possnig, who spent 13 months as a research medical doctor at Concordia Station and is a member of the European Space Agency’s astronaut reserve. “With the two missions combined, we have a unique chance to gain insights for future deep space exploration.”

The moving sea ice adds uncertainty and psychological stress compared with a winter-over at the stationary Concordia base, according to Melike Balk, ESA’s science coordinator for the mission.

“The challenge is extraordinary for this mission, which simulates long-duration spaceflight isolation and confinement,” said Balk.

Climate study

As this drifting polar base moves through the Arctic, the crew will also study the biodiversity under the polar pack ice. This is important, as it is in the world’s fastest-warming region, which is highly sensitive to climate change.

This first drift will also present a unique opportunity since there will be several satellites flying over the vessel.

The ESA will share the exact times and paths of these satellites, and the crew on board will be taking scientific measurements as they pass overhead. This on-the-ground data can then be compared with the orbital observations, allowing for calibration of the satellite data.

By April 2027, the first wintering leg of the expedition will be complete. And by the end of that year, the vessel will break through the ice before making its way back to France.

Content writer Ada Wood enjoys exploring the stories that science and climate teach us about our natural world and how it influences the way we live in it.