Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics UpdateUpdate

Erick ChiangErick ChiangSection HeadSection Head

Polar Research Support SectionPolar Research Support SectionOffice of Polar ProgramsOffice of Polar Programs

Information Security UpdateInformation Security Update

• OPP and the CIO’s office conducted analysis and testing in FY 04. – Initial test identified 141 vulnerabilities; all have been addressed– OPP is working with RPSC to establish an internal process for continuous

testing

• Vulnerability Analysis and Penetration Tests are part of the Federal

Information Security Management Act (FISMA)• NSF/OIG recently completed analysis and testing as part of the FY 05

FISMA compliance audit– Four vulnerabilities identified; OPP & RPSC working their resolution at

this time– Intrusion detection systems need to be improved; OPP/RPSC developing

budget plans to address in FY 06

• Science Systems deployed as part of grant activities will become part of future assessments– Unsecured data collection system in place and transient user systems –

such as laptops, present an avenue for unauthorized access and potential disruption

KRASINKRASIN

• 44thth year of continued heavy ice in McMurdo Sound year of continued heavy ice in McMurdo Sound

• USCGC POLAR SEA laid up. Only POLAR STAR available. USCGC POLAR SEA laid up. Only POLAR STAR available.

• World-wide search for back upWorld-wide search for back up

• KRASIN, owned by Russia, operated by Far East Shipping Co. KRASIN, owned by Russia, operated by Far East Shipping Co. became available on commercial basisbecame available on commercial basis

• Largest Non-Nuclear vessel in Russian fleetLargest Non-Nuclear vessel in Russian fleet

• 2/3 the HP but 1.5 times the displacement of a POLAR2/3 the HP but 1.5 times the displacement of a POLAR

• Highly successful performance.Highly successful performance.

• Have initiated request for continued support in future yearsHave initiated request for continued support in future years

2004-05 2004-05 South PoleSouth PoleTraverseTraverseRouteRoute

Traverse on Upper Leverett GlacierTraverse on Upper Leverett Glacier

SPSE/SM Construction ScheduleSPSE/SM Construction Schedule

SP Const 23 March 2005

Amundsen-Scott South Pole StationAmundsen-Scott South Pole Station

U.S. Antarctic Program McMurdo U.S. Antarctic Program McMurdo Power Plant Phase IPower Plant Phase I

• PurposePurpose– Replace McMurdo Station’s aged power generation Replace McMurdo Station’s aged power generation

infrastructure infrastructure objectivesobjectives

– Improve reliability of power productionImprove reliability of power production

– Provide an emergency powere and water production sourceProvide an emergency powere and water production source

– Increase station fuel effieciencyIncrease station fuel effieciency

• CostCost

– Current estimate at complete as forcasted by the project Current estimate at complete as forcasted by the project schedule: $11,900,165schedule: $11,900,165

• On-site construction commenced: 4 DEC 2004On-site construction commenced: 4 DEC 2004

• Conditional occupany through Phase II: OCTOBER 2006Conditional occupany through Phase II: OCTOBER 2006

• Project closeout & documentation Complete: APRIL 2007Project closeout & documentation Complete: APRIL 2007

South Pole Traverse Proof-Of-ConceptSouth Pole Traverse Proof-Of-ConceptAccomplishments of Year ThreeAccomplishments of Year Three

Traverse team completed all modifications to the sleds utilzed last season and departed McMurdo Station, November 11, 2004. Traverse included five towing tractors, thirteen sleds, and Piston Bully equipped with GPR (overall weight approximately 736,578 pounds).

Advanced the trail to South Pole to a point 738 miles from McMurdo Station– Safely crossed the McMurdo Shear Zone for the third time– Crossed the Ross Ice Shelf; experienced no problems with soft snow

conditions– Ascent of the Leverett Glacier with minor problems due to crevassing

Trail is now well marked with flags every ¼ mile and free of crevassed hazards.

Traverse team experiences zero incidents of sled failures, zero incidents of unplanned tractor maintenance and zero requirements for shuttling loads.

Team well positioned to complete the Proof-of-Concept Traverse next austral summer with only 298 miles of unproven route to go.

South Pole SPSM FY05 South Pole SPSM FY05 AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

• Obtained Conditional Occupancy of Elevated Station wings B1 (Emergency Power and housing for 38) and B2 (Science)

• Completed steel framing and panel enclosure of the remaining Elevated Station wings A4 (Summer Housing for 66) and B4 (Multipurpose). This milestone represented 100% completion of the Elevated Station framing and enclosure of all 8 wings.

• Successfully relocated the Elevated Dorm to the Dark Sector for science laboratory usage (IceCube Counting House)

• Completed Phase I of the new Cryogen Facility in support of expanded dewer storage capacity and FY05 winter demands