McMurdo Ground Station

1
McMurdo Ground Station

• K. Jezek and F. Carsey

2
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
3
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)

4
MGS Science Working Team

• November 1990, JPL SWT Meeting Carsey/Jezek

5
MSF Report
6
Bernie Joins the Fray
7
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

8
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!

9
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