The Scientific Ice Expedition '99 is part of a five-year scientific mission between the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Navy to learn about the geology, physics, chemistry and biology of the Arctic.

CNN: Nuclear sub dives under the ice to explore climate change

It could play an important role in cold climates for search-and-rescue, scientific exploration and expedition support.

BBC: Polar express

Tara Oceans runs a 3-year scientific and outreach expedition throughout the ocean.

UNESCO: Tara Oceans Expedition: Call in New York.

Yet the scientific value of Mr Chilingarov's expedition was negligible compared with its political value, says Lev Savatyugin of the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.

ECONOMIST: Ventures into the near-abroad