TIGER Questions and Answers
about Antarctic Logistics
Dr. Eric Christian of NASA GSFC was in Antarctica for the launch of the balloon-borne instrument, TIGER. He answered questions about Antarctica and the mission while there and since.
- How do you get water to drink?
I got mine from the tap. They have a very good reverse osmosis plant in McMurdo that gets fresh water from seawater. When you're in a field camp, you just melt (over a stove) snow, and you get fresh water.
- If you had been able to go to the South Pole, how would you have traveled?
Usually people fly down to the pole in LC-130s, military cargo planes that have skis (and also wheels).
- How are the garbage and the waste disposed of?
Garbage and waste are all sent back to the states by ship. They spend a lot of effort to minimize human impact down here.
- What mode of transportation do you use?
Mostly I've been riding in a modified van. (more on the vehicles...)
This page was last modified on October 23, 2003
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