‘Robust little’ vessel begins treacherous 22,000km journey around Antarctica in the name of climate science

Powered by sun and wind, the uncrewed vehicle will collect data to help Australian scientists better understand how oceans absorb emissions

A small uncrewed vessel has embarked on a lap around Antarctica and may not return for months.

The seven-metre craft, which looks like a large kayak in hi-vis orange, is expected to travel about 22,000km through inhospitable waters, propelled by powerful westerly winds and energy from the sun. The journey is seven times the distance between Sydney and Perth.