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2005-2006 USAP Station Schedules
The United States Antarctic Program operates three permanent research stations on the continent and two research vessels. It also supports work that is not based at any of the stations or on the vessels. Below are the planned season dates and the estimated populations of each station and both research vessels.
McMurdo Station

  • 20 Aug 2005 Winfly
  • 05 Oct 2005 Mainbody
  • 23 Feb 2006 Austral winter season begins

Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station

  • 21 Oct 2005 Operational opening
  • 28 Oct 2005 Austral summer season begins
  • 15 Feb 2006 Austral winter season begins

Palmer Station

  • 22 Sep 2005 Operational opening
  • 10 Oct 2005 Austral summer season begins
  • 08 Apr 2006 Austral winter season begins

Research Vessels

Vessels operate year-round. Vessel schedules on the portal: http://www.usap.gov/vesselScienceAndOperations/

Estimated Population
McMurdo Station

900 Summer weekly average
2,900 Summer total
200 Winter total

Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station

245 to 258 Summer weekly average
725 Summer total
75 Winter total

Palmer Station

31 to 45 Seasonal range
20 Winter total

Research Vessels

RV/IB Nathaniel B. Palmer: 39 science and RPSC staff, 25 crew
ARSV Laurence M. Gould: 38 science and RPSC staff, 25 crew

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Field Camps | Scouting in Antarctica | Event Numbering System

Click to go to the National Science Foundation's website USAP.gov is the U.S. Government’s official web portal for the U.S. Antarctic Program, which is managed by the National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs - 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 755 Arlington, VA 22230 Content Curator: Steve Dunbar, Raytheon Polar Services Company
NSF Official: Brian Stone, Office of Polar Programs
Last Updated: September 24, 2004
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