Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 13 August, the sixth International Arctic Expedition “Icebreaker of Knowledge” departed from Murmansk. The expedition is organized by the Network of Information Centers for Nuclear Energy with the support of the Rosatom State Corporation.

The event is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry and the 500th anniversary of the exploration of the Northern Sea Route.

The expedition route follows: Murmansk – North Pole – Franz Josef Land – Murmansk. Participants are expected to reach the North Pole on 17 August and return to port on 22 August, coinciding with Russia’s National Flag Day.

The program includes scientific and educational activities involving international experts in nuclear and space technologies, scientists, and science communicators. Participants will learn about the work of a nuclear icebreaker, explore the Arctic environment, make a symbolic circumnavigation around the point where all Earth’s meridians converge, and — for the first time — test Russian planetary rovers in North Pole conditions.

The expedition brings together 66 school students from 21 countries, including Brazil, Bolivia, Egypt, Indonesia, and China. Many will become the first representatives of their nations to visit the top of the planet. The group also includes Russian and foreign scientists, engineers, bloggers, and science popularizers.

Among the speakers are Topan Setiadipura, Head of the Reactor Technology Research Center at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency; Suang Chung Le, Director of the Center for Nuclear Physics at the Institute for Nuclear Physics and Technology of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute; Alexander Tyunin, General Director of “Rosatom Composite Technologies”; Leonid Dedyukha, winner of the “Teacher of the Year Russia – 2024” contest; and test cosmonaut Andrei Babkin.

According to Rosmolodezh head Grigory Gurov, reaching the North Pole and taking part in the expedition is a unique opportunity earned through hard work. This year, competition reached 1,400 applicants per spot.

Yakiv Antonov, General Director of Atomflot, emphasized the symbolic importance of the voyage in the anniversary year of the Northern Sea Route’s exploration and expressed confidence that the trip will inspire young people toward new discoveries.

Expedition expert and oceanographer Alexander Osadchiev noted that Arctic research is becoming increasingly relevant amid climate change.

Alina Chembaeva from Uzbekistan shared her excitement for the departure, saying she hopes to see “many interesting things — and polar bears.”