Project Title

NASA / McMurdo Ground Station (MG1)

Summary

Event Number:
T-927-M
NSF / NASA Agreement

NSF Contact:
Mr. Pat Smith

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Carrie Piesen

Principal Investigator(s)

Mr. Mark Harris
mark.a.harris@nasa.gov
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Wallops Flight Facility
Wallops Island, Virginia

Project Web Site:
https://esc.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station
Research Locations: McMurdo Station

Description

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Near Space Network (NSN) Direct To Earth (DTE) communications services provided is supported by McMurdo Ground Station (MG1). The NASA MG1 earth station operations and maintenance is managed under the NASA Space Exploration Network Services and Evolution (SENSE). The MG1 is a 10-meter antenna housed in a large radome located on a ridge overlooking McMurdo Station. It is used primarily for data recovery from polar-orbiting science and environmental remote sensing satellites. MG1 also provides launch and early operations phase support for launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base involving satellite missions launching into high inclination polar orbits that require downrange telemetry; telemetry and command for satellite housekeeping; and recovery from satellite operational emergencies.

In collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite and Data Information Service, the MG1 recovers data for the EUMETSAT MetOp polar weather satellites.

Field Season Overview

Annual ongoing maintenance and support continues for McMurdo Ground Station antennas, radomes, and associated devices and equipment. This project maintains a year-round presence of two persons and plans to deploy one additional mechanic during the summer season.

Deploying Team Members