Katsuragi Expedition
The expedition lead by Misato Katsuragi's father, Dr. Katsuragi, to the South Pole to research and experiment with Adam, the Seed of Life that had been discovered there. The Contact Experiment undertaken by the expedition led to Second Impact. The events surrounding the expedition and the true nature of Second Impact were largely covered up with neither the public nor lower-ranking employees of Nerv knowing the truth.
Background
Seele funded the project for the scientist Dr. Katsuragi to study Adam, with Dr. Katsuragi attempting to prove his theories on S² Engine in order to create one. Dr. Katsuragi's daughter, Misato, accompanied the expedition.
Adam was subject to a Contact Experiment involving DNA from a "human donor", presumably one of the the Katsuragi expedition crew on the site (and quite possibly Dr. Katsuragi himself). The contact experiment resulted in Adam awakening, causing catastrophic damage to the base facilities around the excavation site. The members of the expedition frantically attempted to redirect the energy generated by Adam. Whatever the exact sequence of events, Second Impact occurred with Adam's body being destroyed in the process; it is implied that the Contact Experiment resulted in the creation of the Angel Tabris.
During the events, Dr. Katsuragi succeeded in getting outside the base facilities, carrying Misato. Both father and daughter were severely injured, with Dr. Katsuragi in particular sustaining especially heavy injuries. Dr. Katsuragi nevertheless succeeded in getting Misato into an escape capsule that survived the explosion and took Misato out to sea. Misato's cross pendant is a keepsake, given to her by her father just before he sealed her capsule and let her live, at the cost of his own death.
Episode 21 reveals that a young Gendo Rokubungi had been a part of the expedition, but, aware of the true purpose of the expedition and the imminent Second Impact, had left Antarctica the day before.
This article bears the unpleasant designation of "Stub." This is a Bad Thing. Provide a great service to NGE fan-geeks everywhere by making it awesomer!
