Sextant vs. Starlink: Robert Swan explores tech and returns to Antarctica

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Thin Ice.earth

Dan@ThinIce.earth

6 episodes

3 weeks ago

Thin Ice encourages you to protect and appreciate the remaining wild places on earth -- especially Antarctica. Co-hosts Robert Swan (the first person in history to walk to the South and North Poles) and Dan Smith pick up where their "Undaunted" podcast left off; Feedspot still ranks it among the Best Antarctica Podcasts (as of March 2025). So, jump on in -- the water's icy but fine -- and join us on the journey to protect what's left of the wild and restore what's been lost. It's going to be ... wild! You can also follow the story online and on Substack at thinice.earth.

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Sextant vs. Starlink: Robert Swan explores tech and returns to Antarctica

Thin Ice.earth

33 minutes 10 seconds

1 month ago

Sextant vs. Starlink: Robert Swan explores tech and returns to Antarctica

In this episode of Thin Ice, co-hosts Robert Swan, OBE, and Dan Smith, OJ (Ordinary Joe) explore the fascinating intersection of exploration, technology and sustainability. Robert reflects on the 40th anniversary of his historic South Pole expedition, when he and his team navigated to the South Pole with just a sextant, a watch and sheer determination. No GPS, no radio and no backup. Robert reminisced (and recorded this episode) while taking a break in Tokyo, where he was exploring cutting-edge R&D to understand how advanced technologies including AI can help solve the planet’s most pressing challenges. Robert also shares his plans for returning to Antarctica’s Union Glacier in December 2025 with an international team that will test and demonstrate renewable energy and sustainable HVAC. He’s also going to speak live from Antarctica via Starlink to more than 500,000 schoolchildren, inspiring the next generation of champions for Antarctica’s preservation.

Listen to hear how Robert Swan is trading his sextant for Starlink, and why the future of Antarctica and our planet depends on courage, caring and innovation.