McMurdo Ground Station

K. Jezek and F. Carsey

SIR-B Reflight

• Formal plans for SAR studies of Antarctica begin with SIR-B reflight (Kathy Sullivan to be the P.S.)

• Meeting at JPL in October 1985 to develop proposal– Ice margin– Ice surface details– Tectonic boundaries– Whillans corner reflectors

(still awaiting L-band radar!)

Sept. 85 Carsey and Holt

Early Planning

• Loss of shuttle and elimination of Vandenburg for shuttle launches puts plans on hold, at least until ERS activities begin to mature

• Based on plans for ASF, SAR community begins planning for a McMurdo Facility

• Early planning aimed primarily at RADARSAT (MOU with CSA for mappings ) and ERS

• July 1990, meeting at JPL to brief NSF logistics on tentative MGS concept (Hosted by C. Elachi)

• October 1990, NSF status review of concept for initiatives to receive SAR TOMS data at McMurdo (convened by Pat Smith)

MGS Science Working Team

• November 1990, JPL SWT Meeting – Carsey/Jezek

MSF Report

Bernie Joins the Fray

MSF SWT

• December 11, 1990, Bob Thomas arranges for briefing at NASA HQ

• January, 1991, Briefing to Peter Wilkness at NSF

• February 1991, W. Weeks checks out the station mask

Proposed Schedule (from my notes)

• Decision to Proceed February, 1991• Procurement April 91 – Aug 93• Ship to McM Sept. 93• Install Oct 93 – Feb 94• Test Feb 94 – Oct 94• Ready January 95

Turned Out Pretty close!

Some MGS Campaign Milestones

• Austral summer 96-97 – F.C. and K.J. visit. ERIM active transponders installed at McM and South Pole Station.

• Sept. to Oct 97 – AMM-1

• Sept – November 2000 – MAMM

• Sept – November 2004 – Mini MAMM