Raytheon Polar Services Company (RPSC) is pleased to announce that the Research Vessel Icebreaker Nathaniel B. Palmer (NBP) charter has been extended through March 2017, with an option for an additional five years. RPSC will assign the NBP charter to the new Lockheed Martin Antarctic Support Contractor (ASC) effective March 31, 2012. In service since 1992, the NBP will continue to support research cruises for National Science Foundation (NSF) science projects as part of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP).

The current charter for the Antarctic Research and Support Vessel Laurence M. Gould (LMG), in effect through July 2015 with a similar option for an additional five years, will also be assigned from RPSC to the Lockheed Martin ASC effective March 31, 2012.

Interested principal investigators should submit research proposals to the NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP), Division of Antarctic Sciences.

The Antarctic Research solicitation (NSF 12-539 ) describes the science programs supported by the USAP and how to prepare a proposal. Additional information about the USAP is available on the NSF web site on the Antarctic Research Solicitation page and on the USAP.gov Information for Proposers page.