The National Science Foundation manages the United States Antarctic Program and supports scientific research by overseeing a massive cooperative effort among researchers, the military, and civilian agencies. Executive Program Management |
National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Polar Programs (OPP)Funds and manages the United States Antarctic Program (USAP); supports scientific research and oversees the cooperative efforts of a civilian contractor, the military, and several federal agencies.
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ResearchersConduct research in Antarctica and at U.S. universities, federal laboratories, and other similar U.S. organizations. For a recent list of researchers and field projects, go to http://www.usap.gov/researchersAndScienceProjects/. |
Raytheon Polar Services (RPS—Support Personnel)Provides a wide range of logistical and science support operations and is curator of the USAP web portal.
The Air National Guard (New York Air National Guard 109th Airlift Wing)Provides ski-equipped C-130 (LC-130) air support between Antarctica and New Zealand and within Antarctica.
The U.S. Air Force (USAF 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Washington)Provides airlift support between Christchurch, New Zealand, and McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
Joint Task Forces Support Forces Antarctica (Operation Deep Freeze)Provides logistics and support for the U.S. Antarctic Program; oversees the activities of U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Navy, and Coast Guard personnel who participate in the USAP.
The U.S. Coast Guard (PACAREA Icebreaker Operations, Cutter Polar Sea, and Cutter Polar Star)Breaks a channel in the sea ice in McMurdo Sound before the arrival of the annual fuel and resupply ships; escorts resupply ships in and out of McMurdo Station; delivers fuel to Marble Point, northern Victoria Land; and provides science support as needed.
Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (PHI)Provides helicopter support within Antarctica.
Kenn Borek Air Ltd.Provides Twin Otter aircraft support within Antarctica.
The U.S. Navy (SPAWAR Systems Center Charleston/Code 66, Aviation Command and Control [C2] Division)Provides weather forecasting, air traffic control, base operations and ground electronics maintenance services.
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University Navstar Consortium (UNAVCO)Provides support for permanent stations, surveying, mapping, and other applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to U.S. Antarctic Program investigators, and maintains a satellite facility with a full range of geodetic GPS equipment and support services at McMurdo Station during the austral summer research season.
Ice Coring and Drilling Services (ICDS), University of Wisconsin-MadisonProvides ice-coring and drilling support for NSF-sponsored research in both polar regions and at high altitudes, maintains and operates existing equipment, and develops new systems.
Biospherical Instruments, Inc. (BSI)Operates a polar network of ultraviolet monitoring instruments in Antarctica and the Arctic. Provides data to researchers studying the effects of ozone depletion on terrestrial and marine biological systems.
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—Climate Monitoring and Diagnostic LaboratoryConducts research and continual surveillance on the depletion and expected recovery of the global stratospheric ozone layer and Antarctic ozone hole.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)—U.S. Antarctic Resource CenterSupports mapping (including field surveys), geodesy, year-round acquisition of geospatial data, and satellite image mapping. Maintains the Nation's collection of Antarctic maps, charts, satellite images, and photographs produced by the United States and other member nations of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and is the U.S. contribution to the SCAR Library system.
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About the USAP