Information Technology and Communications "Charrette" Sets New Facilities Standards

Comprehensive, Two-Day Planning Session Aims to Consolidate Information Technology Functions

This spring, participants in a design charrette--a comprehensive, two-day planning session--focused on an important component of the redesigned McMurdo Station: the Information Technology (IT) and Communications Primary Operations Facility. This building will house the station's primary data center, a back-up emergency operations and communications center, a back-up command-and-control, center as well as field communications and other IT support. These functions are currently spread out in different locations across the station. By integrating them and locating them in one place, Future USAP aims to increase efficiency and convenience while improving safety and reliability.

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Various Technologies Guiding McMurdo Development

Developing, Refining, and Ultimately Building Designs that are Responsive to the Antarctic Environment

Several technologies are being employed as part of the planning and design process for the re-build of McMurdo Station. Among them is snow deposition modeling. This particular modeling allows us to not only predict snow accumulation patterns at McMurdo, but also guide us in adjusting our designs to reduce snow build-up in certain areas, thereby reducing maintenance requirements. Snow build-up is inevitable in this environment, and although we can't eliminate snow removal altogether, our goal is to manage that necessary effort effectively and efficiently.

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Engaging Our Community

Opportunities to Be a Part of the Future of the United States Antarctic Program

There are a variety of stakeholders for the advancements and improvements that will be undertaken as a part of Future USAP. Before any initial investment begins, USAP seeks to solicit feedback from all parties via a number of avenues. Most recently, this included a four-week series of charrettes in order to engage each of our core audiences. As Future USAP expands its plans, we will continue to engage our stakeholders to ensure feedback is gathered and integrated into our plans.

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