
Journey to the World's Most Isolated Research Station: A Year in Antarctica
2025-07-02
Author: Mei
In November 2023, Jessica Studer, a 33-year-old Swiss medical doctor and pianist, geared up for an extraordinary adventure to Concordia research station in Antarctica, famously known as the most remote workplace on Earth. While most work trips may require a flight and a few hotel nights, hers posed a unique challenge—several days of travel and a year in isolation.
Concordia is no ordinary research facility. Nestled at a staggering altitude of 10,600 feet, it endures winter temperatures that can plunge to a bone-chilling minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit. Accessed exclusively by aircraft during the summer months, the station is more isolated than the International Space Station, 240 miles above the planet.
Studer's year-long stint at Concordia, organized by the French Polar Institute and Italy's National Antarctic Research Program, involved conducting biomedical research for the European Space Agency. The station serves as a critical simulation for deep-space missions, where Studer aimed to unravel the effects of extreme isolation and confinement on both herself and her fellow crew members.
A Journey Less Traveled
WIRED caught up with Studer to understand her astounding journey. It began with a train ride to Paris, where her next stop was the airport. Arriving in an Uber, she recalls the driver’s disbelief when she mentioned her year-long expedition to Antarctica, all while managing three hefty backpacks.
While at the Paris airport, she met her French crew for the first time. The flight to Christchurch, New Zealand, included a layover in Singapore, where she forged a bond with fellow travelers, sharing packing tips and strategies for their impending Antarctic challenge.
Upon landing in Christchurch, Studer faced logistical challenges. As she rushed to download essential data to take with her, airport officials meticulously checked baggage for weight limits and prohibited items, ensuring that Antarctica's pristine ecosystem remained unspoiled.
Into the Great White Unknown
Boarding a Hercules C-130 airplane—an impressive sight—Studer braced herself for a seven-hour flight devoid of restrooms. The initial glimpse of Antarctica from the small windows was surreal, revealing vast ice shelves and endless white landscapes. Stepping off the plane, she was struck by the stark, alien environment, reminiscent of an extraterrestrial landscape.
Despite a planned one-day stay at an Italian station, unpredictable weather forced her crew to stay for nearly a week. The adage "en Antarctique pas de pronostique" (no forecast in Antarctica) rang especially true, as they awaited stable conditions to continue their journey.
A New Home Among the Ice
Once conditions cleared, Studer boarded a smaller, non-pressurized Basler BT-67 plane, ensuring to wear all her layers for the frigid temperatures awaiting her at Concordia. Upon arrival, she felt an overwhelming dizziness due to the altitude, quickly realizing she had reached her new home.
As she approached Concordia, it appeared as a tiny structure amidst the vast whiteness, invoking both awe and trepidation—she would be living here for a year. The welcoming crew, who had spent their own year in solitude, greeted her warmly and guided her inside for acclimatization.
Concordia is composed of two interconnected towers, bright white with hints of orange. The left tower—dubbed the "calm tower"—houses dormitories, laboratories, and even a hospital. In just five minutes, she traversed her new abode, reflecting on the incredible feat of constructing such an establishment in such a barren land.
Experiencing Antarctica firsthand starkly contrasts the images she had previously seen; it lacked life—no birds, no trees—just stark ice and ceaseless winds. Studer embarked on her profound expedition ready to contribute to significant research while also facing the extraordinary challenges of surviving one of the planet’s most extreme environments.