Sextant vs. Starlink: Exploring tech and returning to Antarctica

Co-hosts Robert Swan, OBE, and Dan Smith, OAJ (Ordinary American Joe) visit the 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 (post edit: It turned out to be more than 2 million children in a whopping virtual school assembly!), inspiring the next generation of champions for Antarctica.

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.