Bidding Farewell to an Antarctic Legend

After 30 incredible years of service, Ivan the Terra Bus has been retired from service to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) McMurdo Station.

Ivan was not just any old bus; he was a legend at NSF McMurdo Station. It is estimated that over his 30-year stretch, Ivan carried more than 100,000 support personnel, NSF grantees and military support staff between the station and airfields, braving extreme conditions and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Arriving at McMurdo in 1993, Ivan weighed over 54,000 lb. without fuel, cargo or passengers. The massive bus sported a 300-horsepower engine, stretched nearly 46 feet long, could carry 56 passengers at a time, and reach a top speed of just over 20 mph. For those fortunate enough to ride in Ivan or take the wheel, the journey was unforgettable. 

We bid farewell to Ivan, but the legacy will always live on in the stories of Antarctic adventurers.