Project Title

NASA / McMurdo Ground Station (MG1)

Summary

Event Number:
T-927-M
NSF / NASA Agreement

Program Manager:
Mr. Pat Smith

ASC POC/Implementer:
Samina Ouda / Elizabeth Kauffman

Principal Investigator(s)

Mr. Mark Harris
mark.a.harris@nasa.gov
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Wallops Flight Facility
Wallops Island, Virginia

Project Web Site:
http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/services/networks/nen

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station
Research Locations: On station

Description

NASA's McMurdo Ground Station (MG1) is a 10-meter antenna housed in a white radome visible on the hill above McMurdo Station. It is used primarily for data recovery from polar-orbiting science satellites. MG1 also provides launch and early operations phase (LEOP) support for launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base involving satellite missions that require downrange telemetry support; telemetry and command for satellite housekeeping, and recovery from satellite operational emergencies; and, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite and Data Information Service, data recovery for the EUMETSAT MetOp polar weather satellite constellation. NASA also has established a McMurdo Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) Relay System (MTRS) ground terminal, located at Crater Hill, for high-speed data transfers of data collected via MG1. MTRS uses high-inclination TDRS satellites visible above the local horizon. All operations are conducted in compliance with the Antarctic Treaty.

Field Season Overview

The MG1 activity is a year-round effort for which two NASA technicians are deployed to McMurdo Station to operate and maintain the systems. During the austral summer, additional personnel deploy to support special projects, perform systems and infrastructure checks, and conduct crew turnovers.

Deploying Team Members