Project Title

UNAVCO high-precision GPS and ground-based light detection and ranging (LiDAR) support

Summary

Event Number:
T-295-M
NSF / EAR Award 1724794

Program Director:
Dr. Michael Jackson

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Jenny Cunningham

Principal Investigator(s)

Mr. Joseph R Pettit
joe.pettit@earthscope.org
UNAVCO Inc.
Longmont, Colorado

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station
Research Locations: Continent-wide, McMurdo-based

Description

Earthscope GAGE (formerly UNAVCO) provides geodetic observations support and equipment. Survey-grade GPS, terrestrial laser scanners, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), and power and communications systems for high-precision campaign surveying and continuous data collection are available. GAGE operates a network of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations on Ross Island and in the Dry Valleys. Support infrastructure includes a real-time kinematic differential GPS broadcasting station covering McMurdo Sound, a Mount Erebus repeater for GPS data retrieval from the Transantarctic Mountains, and an Iridium satellite hub in Colorado. Support is also provided for Palmer Station’s GPS survey system. Operation and maintenance are provided for NASA's GNSS service stations MCM4 and PALM, POLENET (ANET), West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide, South Pole GPS stations, and as-yet-unplanned support, as feasible.

Field Season Overview

One participant will deploy primarily to support G-079-M POLENET in the deep field. The participant may provide some technical and engineering support to other grantees, as well as manage the on-Ice UNAVCO equipment pool while in McMurdo Station, if time allows.