What is Future USAP

NSF logo

Future USAP is a part of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP), run by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Future USAP is dedicated to long range investments in Antarctic infrastructure spread across three major stations on the continent: McMurdo, Palmer, and South Pole.

This includes support of USAP's scientific mission through a series of redevelopments and upgrades to the buildings, logistics and technology that make up these stations. This work will serve the continent's ongoing scientific mission over a 35-50 year planning horizon.

Reducing Costs. Finding Efficiencies. Conserving Energy. Supporting Antarctic Science.

Each of these investments will be tied to a respective station's Master Plan, which details its moderate, medium and long-term development.

Future USAP encompasses the work detailed within the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernization for Science (AIMS) project while also including additional capital programs. More information on AIMS can be found on the What is AIMS page.

Those seeking information on current USAP plans, imminent deployments, and ongoing projects and research already taking place on the ice should refer to the USAP.gov main website.

Project Phases

Electrical linemen prepare the Pegasus White Ice Runway

For planning purposes, Future USAP work will generally fall into two categories: an Initial Investment phase and a Follow-on Investment phase.

  • Initial Investment
    This phase covers a major concentration on infrastructure, including buildings, information technology, and more. This includes the work taking place under AIMS as well as additional investments.
  • Follow-on Investment
    This phase will focus on other capital improvement projects, which will be featured by this website as they are announced and rolled out.

Project Areas

This site will focus on a variety of project areas serving the Antarctic research and support community. Although these areas will evolve over time, they will include topics such as facilities, equipment/vehicles, information technology, and ECW gear.

This Website

The purpose of this site is to serve as a primary communication vehicle for Future USAP: publish project updates, engage relevant stakeholder communities, and answer questions about the project and process.

For more information, visit our FAQ section.