Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2019 shows icebergs in the Cosmonaut Sea. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, started its maiden voyage to the Antarctic from the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Oct. 15, 2019.

Xuelong 2 set sail on the country's 36th Antarctic expedition, which have a 413-member team aiming to grasp the influence of Antarctic changes on the world, improve China's ability to cope with climate change and increase participation in Antarctic global governance. Another icebreaker named Xuelong has also joined the expedition, making it the first time that two polar icebreakers work together on China's Antarctic expedition.

Photo taken on Dec. 11, 2019 shows an iceberg in the Cosmonaut Sea. During China's 36th Antarctic expedition, China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 has to overcome various difficulties including colliding with icebergs. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

Xuelong 2 conducts research in the Cosmonauts Sea and China's Great Wall Station. It is expected to return in late March 2020.

The Cosmonauts Sea was named in 1962 by the Soviet Antarctic Expedition in honor of the world's first cosmonauts and the beginning of manned space exploration era.

The water here is close to freezing throughout the year and is mostly covered by ice. Between 1973 and 1986, several polynyas have occurred in these waters, with the totally enclosed Cosmonaut polynya attaining a maximum size on July 25, 1980, with an open water area of as much as 137,700 square kilometers. This polynya lasted for several weeks before disappearing on August 16, 1980.

Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2019 shows an iceberg in the Cosmonaut Sea. During China's 36th Antarctic expedition, China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 has to overcome various difficulties including colliding with icebergs. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

 

Photo taken on Dec. 28, 2019 shows an iceberg in the Cosmonaut Sea. During China's 36th Antarctic expedition, China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 has to overcome various difficulties including colliding with icebergs. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

 

Photo taken on Dec. 22, 2019 shows an iceberg in the Cosmonaut Sea. During China's 36th Antarctic expedition, China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 has to overcome various difficulties including colliding with icebergs. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

 

Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2019 shows an iceberg in the Cosmonaut Sea. During China's 36th Antarctic expedition, China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 has to overcome various difficulties including colliding with icebergs. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

 

Photo taken on Dec. 16, 2019 shows an iceberg in the Cosmonaut Sea. During China's 36th Antarctic expedition, China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 has to overcome various difficulties including colliding with icebergs. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

 

Photo taken on Dec. 20, 2019 shows an iceberg in the Cosmonaut Sea. During China's 36th Antarctic expedition, China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 has to overcome various difficulties including colliding with icebergs. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

 

Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2019 shows an iceberg in the Cosmonaut Sea. During China's 36th Antarctic expedition, China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 has to overcome various difficulties including colliding with icebergs. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)