2024-2025 Science Planning Summary
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Alert
As of midnight, December 20, 2024, the U.S. government is experiencing a lapse in appropriations. Until the situation is resolved, please refer to OPM.gov website regarding the status for federal employees. We expect the U.S. Antarctic Program to remain operational under our contractor for the foreseeable future. Should the situation change, we will post additional information on this website when it is legally permissible to do so.
 
2024-2025 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*)
14 Aug 2024 Continuing through Winter/WinFly 25 Feb 2025
McMurdo (Mainbody) 1 Oct 2024 9 Oct 2024
South Pole 1 Nov 2024 4 Nov 2024 15 Feb 2025
Palmer 1 Oct 2024 23 Oct 2024 20 Mar 2025
Research Vessel Vessel Operates Year-Round
*A limited number of science projects deploy early

Estimated Population

Summer Winter
McMurdo 975
(weekly average)
280
(winter total)
South Pole 105
(weekly average)
45
(winter total)
Palmer 30
(weekly average)
RV/IB* NBP Capacity per cruise: 45 science and staff
*RV/IB, Research Vessel/Icebreaker