| The United States Antarctic Program operates three permanent research stations on the continent and two research vessels. |
 |
| Austral Summer Season Openings |
Austral Winter
Season Openings |
| Station |
Operational |
Science |
| McMurdo |
13 Aug 2010
(WinFly*) |
28 Sept 2010
(Mainbody) |
25 Feb 2011 |
| South Pole |
15 Oct 2010 |
1 Nov 2010 |
14 Feb 2011 |
| Palmer |
17 Sept 2010* |
12 Oct 2010 |
05 June 2011 |
Research
Vessels |
Year-round operations
Vessel schedules on the Internet:
http://www.usap.gov/vesselScienceAndOperations/ |
 |
| Estimated Population |
| |
Summer |
Winter |
| McMurdo |
950 (weekly average)
2,200 (total) |
160
(winter total) |
| South Pole |
250 (weekly average)
820 (total) |
50
(winter total) |
| Palmer |
36-44 (weekly average)
159 (total) |
20
(winter total) |
| RV/IB NBP* |
39 science and staff / 25 crew |
| ARSV LMG** |
38 science and staff / 25 crew |
 |