Last updated on October 1, 2025
Yes, qualified scientific teams can obtain permits issued by a national Antarctic program to operate unmanned aerial systems, but the permit process requires a formal environmental impact assessment, demonstration of scientific necessity, approved operational SOPs, trained pilots, equipment redundancy and recovery planning to prevent debris and wildlife disturbance. Permits are issued by the authority representing the expedition’s national jurisdiction and are conditioned on adherence to the Protocol on Environmental Protection; oversight includes mandatory reporting, possible on‑site inspections and operator obligations to minimise disturbance and remove all equipment and debris after operations. The permitting bar is high, and applications are evaluated with a precautionary bias toward environmental protection.
9/3/2025