The sixth international Arctic expedition “Icebreaker of Knowledge” set sail from Murmansk on August 13. This expedition has been organized by the Atomic Energy Information Centres network with the support of Rosatom. It is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Russia's nuclear industry and the 500th anniversary of the development of the Northern Sea Route.
The expedition will be made along the route from Murmansk, passing through the North Pole to Franz Josef Land and back to Murmansk. The expedition is scheduled to reach the North Pole on August 17 and return to Murmansk on August 22, the State Flag Day of the Russian Federation. Part of the expedition will feature a scientific and educational program with international experts in the fields of atomic and space technologies, as well as scientists and popular science communicators. During their journey, the participants will learn about the structure and operation of a nuclear icebreaker. They will also have the opportunity to see the unique natural beauty of the Arctic region, make the fastest round-the-world journey ever when they walk around the point where all earth's meridians meet, and test Russian rovers for the first time ever in the harsh conditions of the North Pole.
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This year, 66 schoolchildren from 21 countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Bolivia, Egypt, Indonesia, China, and others, have joined the expedition. Russian and foreign scientists, engineers, specialists in the nuclear and space industries, well-known bloggers and science popularizers, and cosmonauts will also take part in the expedition.
In his address to the participants, Head of Russia’s Youth Affairs Federal Agency and an expert on the "Icebreaker of Knowledge 2025" expedition, Grigory Gurov said, “Visiting the North Pole is a dream for many people, comparable to going into space. Joining Rosatom’s international Arctic expedition on a nuclear icebreaker is a truly unique opportunity. Those who have been chosen for this trip had to work hard to earn it and to prove that they are the best of the best. This year's competition set a record with more than 1,400 people applying for each place. In total, over 63,000 Russians and 4,000 citizens from other countries applied. Thanks to decisions made by the President of Russia, young people have the opportunity to realize their potential, brave ideas, and dreams through the national project "Youth and Children".
Yakov Antonov, Director General of Atomflot (Rosatom’s company), spoke about the importance of the international Arctic expedition of Rosatom: "2025 marks 500 years since Russia began to develop the Northern Sea Route, a unique route from Europe to the Far East. We never cease to be proud of the feat of our pioneers, who fearlessly, step by step, overcame the difficult path to incredible discoveries. Russia is the only country in the world that has a nuclear icebreaker fleet, and I am sure that on the Icebreaker of Knowledge voyage, schoolchildren will be inspired by the vastness of the Arctic, and in the future they will become new discoverers, creators of breakthrough technologies, which we will also be proud of".
The scientific and educational project "Icebreaker of Knowledge" aims to promote natural sciences and nuclear technology, discover and support talented and gifted young people, develop their skills, and offer them career guidance. The winners of the competition for the unique voyage have been chosen based on a multi-stage selection.
