Discover more about the history and present-day activities of Ny-Ålesund, a remote research base in Norway
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Nestled in the west island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard, Norway, is a small community of scientists. Together, they inhabit Ny-Ålesund, the world’s northernmost year-round research station. Despite its miniature size, Ny-Ålesund is a significant player in scientific research. In 2024 alone, the research base produced 112 peer-reviewed publications on a variety of topics.
So, what exactly happens in one of the most remote research bases on Earth? Read on to find out…
What is Ny-Ålesund?
Originally, Ny-Ålesund was founded as a mining community back in 1916. In 1964, the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO) established a satellite station in the settlement – a moment that marked the start of Ny-Ålesund as an international research base.
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Today, 11 institutions from 10 countries have established permanent research stations there, with research ranging from atmospheric physics and biology to glaciology and oceanography. Around 35 permanent residents live there year-round, while another 60 scientists join during the summer months.
Ny-Ålesund has been the beginning of many famous polar expeditions, such as Roald Amundsen’s and Umberto Nobile’s journey to the North Pole. In 1926, the pair flew with 13 others in an airship from Ny-Ålesund over the North Pole to Teller in Alaska. This marked the very first transpolar flight in which the Arctic Ocean was crossed.
Although Ny-Ålesund is particularly remote, the research base still has a hotel open for tourists to stay. Named Nordpolhotellet, it was first opened back in 1939. It is also home to the world’s northernmost post office.
There are just three species of large mammals in Ny-Ålesund – the polar bear, Arctic fox, and reindeer. As for marine life, there is a far more plentiful species range, including walrus, ring and bearded seal, white-nose dolphin, narwhal and orca. As well as this, more than 100 types of birds frequent the area, such as kittiwakes, little auks and guillemots.
What research is carried out?
Ny-Ålesund’s northernly position, combined with its ability to be easily accessed, – along with a coastal setting and heterogenous landscape – makes it a perfect area for research.
This can include studies on long-range transport of pollutants, UV-radiation and its related biological effects, as well as research into Arctic marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Ny-Ålesund is radio silent, as waves can interfere with the scientists’ research equipment. This means all Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are strictly forbidden in the area.
Since 1972, the UK has maintained a station in the research base.
Norway has made considerable investments in research infrastructure within Ny-Ålesund. For example, they have installed a fibre-optic cable from Longyearbyen, completed a new research building focused on land ecology and established a new observatory.
For those working in Ny-Ålesund, rifle training is mandatory. As part of the Polar Bear Awareness course, such training protects staff in the event of a polar bear encounter on the research base.
