2022-2023 Science Planning Summary
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2022-2023 USAP Field Season
Station and Vessel Schedules

The United States Antarctic Program operates three permanent research stations on the continent and two research vessels.


Opening Dates

  Austral Summer Openings Austral Winter Openings
Operational Science
McMurdo
(Early Season*)
15 Aug 2022 19 Aug 2022 24 Feb 2023
McMurdo (Mainbody) 5 Oct 2022 5 Oct 2022
South Pole 1 Nov 2022 4 Nov 2022 15 Feb 2023
Palmer 2 Oct 2022 8 Nov 2022 25 Mar 2023
Research Vessels Vessels Operate Year-Round
(Find Vessel Schedules)
*A limited number of science projects deploy early

Estimated Population

Summer Winter
McMurdo 1000
(weekly average)
140
(winter total)
South Pole 105
(weekly average)
45
(winter total)
Palmer 23-44
(weekly average)
RV/IB* NBP Capacity per cruise: 45 science and staff
ARSV** LMG Capacity per cruise: 37 science and staff
*RV/IB, Research Vessel/Icebreaker
**ARSV, Antarctic Research Support Vessel