The oceanographic research vessel Hespérides begins its XXX Antarctic Campaign
The mission of the Oceanographic Research Vessel (BIO) Hespérides forms part of the Spanish Antarctic Campaign 2025–2026, representing a model of cooperation between different public and private institutions in support of R&D&I within the framework of the National Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research.
With a planned duration of 164 days and the participation of around 200 personnel, Hespérides will carry out intensive logistical support activities for the Spanish Antarctic Bases Gabriel de Castilla and Juan Carlos I, as well as the development of several scientific projects of high strategic and technological value. The Spanish Polar Committee is responsible for coordinating the activities carried out by the various organizations involved during the Antarctic Campaigns.
These projects cover a wide range of disciplines, including the study of solar activity, geodesy, underwater morphology and climate change. Among them, the GALILEO project stands out. Developed by the Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute (IHM), this project supports the validation of the Public Regulated Service (PRS) of the European positioning system Galileo in high-latitude areas of the southern hemisphere.
To conduct these studies, the vessel is equipped with 11 laboratories dedicated to different types of research, providing more than 350 square metres of permanent onboard space devoted to scientific activity. In addition, the ship’s fixed scientific equipment includes various echo sounders for biomass quantification and hydrographic bathymetry, a seismic profiler, a marine gravimeter, and a CTD (Conductivity–Temperature–Depth) system capable of collecting water samples at different levels down to depths of 6,000 metres while simultaneously carrying out other measurements.
The Spanish Navy’s Scientific Contribution
Throughout its history, the Spanish Navy has played a decisive role in advancing scientific knowledge. Key examples of this contribution include the Malaspina scientific expedition and the expedition led by Jorge Juan and Antonio de Ulloa. The Navy has also been a pioneer in several scientific fields, such as the establishment of the first Astronomical Observatory in 1753, the first geomagnetic station in 1875, and the first seismic station in 1898. Today, this commitment continues not only through the work carried out by the BIO Hespérides, but also through institutions such as the Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute (IHM) and the Royal Observatory of the Spanish Navy (ROA).
The mission of the IHM is to ensure navigational safety by collecting and disseminating information on the sea and coastline, thereby contributing to the advancement of nautical science. It is the sole authority responsible for updating national nautical charting and provides public information to the scientific and educational communities, as well as to public administrations, in support of their research projects and maritime decision-making processes.
The ROA, for its part, conducts theoretical studies and calculations in areas such as astronomy, geodesy, geophysics and timekeeping. It is also responsible for the calculation and dissemination of Spain’s official time.
