Project Title

Operation and maintenance of a CTBT radionuclide monitoring station at Palmer Station

Summary

Event Number:
T-998-P
NSF / CTBTo MOA

Program Manager:
Mr. Tim McGovern

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Jamee Johnson

Principal Investigator(s)

Mr. John L Rand
john.rand.contractor@usap.gov
Antarctic Support Contract
Leidos
Alexandria, Virginia

Location

Supporting Stations: Palmer Station
Research Locations: Terra Lab

Description

This project services and calibrates the automated radionuclide air-particulate (RN73 RASA) monitoring system in the International Monitoring Station (IMS) building (Terra Lab) at Palmer Station. The IMS continuously collects and automatically analyzes daily air samples for radiation. The collected filter-media samples from the radionuclide aerosol sampler/analyzer (RASA) are sent to Vienna, Austria quarterly for archiving. Filter samples are shipped, upon request, to various laboratories elsewhere in the world.

Field Season Overview

The USAP provides year-round, on-site support by the ASC research associate (RA) to help operate and maintain the RASA. In addition, General Dynamics engineer(s) deploy each season for maintenance of the RASA, the uninterruptible power supply, computers and other station related hardware. Training for the RA is conducted by General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) and includes a site visit to the GDMS offices in Chantilly, Virginia for two days prior to deployment. Extensive upgrades to the RASA air-sampling system are planned for 2021 including replacing the mainframe and cabinet. The equipment for this upgrade were shipped for the 2020 visit. Two engineers are required to deploy in 2021 for at least 14 days on station.

Deploying Team Members