News

Science Operations:

• I-163 (Raymond & Matsuoka -Radar ice anisotropy) team members have returned to McMurdo to work on the radar unit.
• I-177 (Sowers-Firn gas) is on site.
• I-188 (Gogineni-Basal conditions and internal layers) is on site.
• G-087 (Dalziel-Bed rock crustal motions) scheduled for WSD on 09 Jan.

LC-130 Fixed Wing Operations:

• Mission D-039 scheduled today including arch materials.
• Missions D-040 to 042 scheduled tomorrow with remaining arch materials.
• McMurdo return weather has been a major factor in weather cancellations.
• Longer flight times to WSD have increased the airtime per crew duty cycle. This greatly reduces the amount of time a crew can actually "standby" for weather or mechanical delays in comparison to other destinations including South Pole.
• WSD ACL has been reduced from the planned 19,900 lbs. to an actual 18,500 lbs.
• LC-130 missions to camp will significantly drop over the next several weeks. Flights will mainly support the South Pole.

Camp:

• Population: + 50
• Camp is up and running full speed.
• Science Construction crew did an excellent job installing the large camp and new structures.
• Camp staff is busy supporting science and arch crew efforts. There has often been 3 to 4 LC-130 flights in one day.

Arches:

• Small arch sections (84') are erected and complete with only 6 crew members.
• Taller arches (100') will start tomorrow, including end walls as remaining materials arrive.
• Taller arches will be slower due to additional height, weight, and bolts. Scheduled for 18 days.
• Additional 6 crew members have arrived on site for a 12 person crew.
• Utility arches will not be installed this season. Exact location to be determined by Greenland setup.
• Total arch schedule currently has 10 days of float. Completion expected on 21 Jan. per baseline schedule.
• Excellent efforts on the arches by the crew lead by Billy Texter.

ICDS Power Requirement Review:

• Total DISC drill and arch facility system power requirements have been submitted to John Rand and Dave Oliver.
• Dave to provide guidance on generator sizing (delivery TBD)
• Schedule to be developed in early Jan.
• Jan. will be a busy month working on the power module and arch facility systems.

ICDS Safety Meetings:

• Ryan Emond (RPSC EH&S) and I will be in Madison 05-06 January