26th Antarctic exploration to begin

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China's State Oceanic Administration says a team of 250 will depart aboard the Snow Dragon for the 26th Antarctic exploration October 11th. The trip will last about 6 months and bring more than 50 research projects.

The Head of the Polar Expedition Office says the team will conduct regular research at two stations -- Changcheng and Zhongshan. It will continue to build a third station, Kunlun at Dome Argus, the pole's highest ice-cap, 4,000 meters above sea level.

The team bought two helicopters from Russia and Australia for the research. And is planning to build another ice-breaking vessel.

Wei Wenliang, head of Polar Expedition Office, said, "The next task for the Snow Dragon is mainly transportation, and also assisting scientific research, while the new vessel will focus on research, and sometimes help transport. The two are complementary."

If everything goes well, the new vessel is expected to be put into use in 2012.

In addition, the team will carry out geological and biologic research on the continent.

Wei says the team will continue to study Grove Mountains, and collect meteorite samples there.