By 2030, the Baikal-GVD neutrino telescope is slated to grow to eight to ten clusters, marking a major expansion in its detection capabilities. The expansion plan was outlined during a videoconference led by Valery Falkov, head of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, and later reported on the Scientific Russia portal. The new clusters, each potentially spanning up to one cubic kilometer of instrumented volume, would position Baikal-GVD to compete with global flagship projects such as IceCube in the United States and KM3NeT in Europe, as well as similar efforts under way in China and Canada. Falkov emphasized that current state policy prioritizes applied research and development while ensuring that basic research remains robust and well-supported rather than sidelined. He underscored the importance of careful progression to avoid backlog while maintaining strong investment in core science.
Nine scientific and educational institutions are collaborating on the Baikal-GVD project, underscoring a broad, multi-institutional effort. As Grigory Trubnikov, director of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), noted, the project began a new era exactly ten years ago with a fresh scale of participation by the institute. Since then, the neutrino telescope has grown substantially, with the detector volume increasing to half a cubic kilometer and ongoing developments driving deeper scientific exploration. The Baikal Neutrino Telescope reached a milestone around March 2021, when it began operating as the largest neutrino detector in the Northern Hemisphere, a status that has continued to fuel collaboration and innovation in the field.
The strategy for the Baikal-GVD program aligns with national objectives to advance high-energy astrophysics, particle physics, and related technologies. The initiative leverages the unique underwater environment of Lake Baikal to capture elusive neutrinos, which hold clues about cosmic phenomena and fundamental physics. By enlarging the array and refining detection methods, researchers aim to enhance angular resolution, improve background rejection, and expand the accessible energy range. This progress not only strengthens Russia’s leadership in neutrino astronomy but also contributes to a worldwide network of observatories shaping the future of multi-messenger astrophysics. The ongoing development is supported by a coalition of universities, research institutes, and scientific centers that contribute expertise in detector design, data analysis, and international collaboration. (Source: Scientific Russia)