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Bidding Farewell to an Antarctic Legend
USAP Headlines
Wednesday April 30, 2025

After 30 incredible years of service, Ivan the Terra Bus has been retired from service to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) McMurdo Station.

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Preparations Underway for a new Barge Pier at NSF McMurdo Station
USAP Headlines
Tuesday April 29, 2025

As part of the Antarctic Infrastructure Recapitalization (AIR) efforts, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build a barge pier at NSF McMurdo

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Reminder from the NSF SAHPR Program Office for 2024-25 Antarctic Summer Season
USAP Headlines
Tuesday October 15, 2024

As the 2024-25 austral summer season begins, the NSF Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response (SAHPR) Program Office works closely with the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) to prevent sexual violence

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Weather anomaly experienced in the McMurdo Dry Valleys
USAP Headlines
Thursday September 05, 2024

An atmospheric river event in March 2022 led to record warm temperatures over much of Antarctica.

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New Antarctic Dragonfish Species Discovered
USAP Headlines
Tuesday September 03, 2024

A research team at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at William & Mary has uncovered a new species of Antarctic fish, which could reshape how scientists view biodiversity in the Southern

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USAP Station Webcams

Live Images from Antarctica

McMurdo Station - Arrival Heights Webcam
McMurdo Station - Observation Hill Webcam
McMurdo Station - Lodging Construction Webcam
McMurdo Station - McMurdo Pier Webcam
South Pole Station - Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station Webcam
South Pole Station - South Pole Radio Telescopes Webcam
Palmer Station - Palmer Station Webcam

Office of Polar Programs News

Sign up for the NSF Office of Polar Programs newsletter and events.

Most Recent

Update on RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer

Update on RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer

Office of Polar Programs News
Wednesday September 24, 2025

The U.S. National Science Foundation proposed terminating the lease of the research vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer in the president's Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. The vessel is planned to be returned to the operator after a final cruise in October 2025.


Job opportunity: Supervisory program manager (chief program officer) position, NSF OPP Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics team

Job opportunity: Supervisory program manager (chief program officer) position, NSF OPP Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics team

Office of Polar Programs News
Wednesday August 13, 2025

The chief program officer (CPO) will provide management and oversight for all operations and logistics associated with the supporting infrastructure and facilities at U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) operating locations, including permanent stations, field sites, gateway operations and port facilities.


Features

Special Report

A site map of the proposed new McMurdo Station taken from the NSF Blue Ribbon Panel Report

Take a look at the National Science Foundation's plans for the future of science and logistics in Antarctica.