XI. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH 18/ 



As discussed in the chapter on space, both space and antarctic 

 research involve large amounts of funds, for work classified as 

 research and development, that are expended for what may be charac- 

 terized best as R&D infrastructure. Although such infrastructural 

 facilities may fall within the "big" of big science, they are not 

 themselves scientific facilities. The space shuttles are an example. 

 A similar situation obtains in antarctic research. 



The U.S. program in the Antarctic includes a physical plant in 

 the form of station facilities, ships, and aircraft. Since there 

 are no indigenous sources of life support or other logistics in 

 Antarctica, the U.S. effort must provide everything needed to reach 

 the area and to exist and function there. The U.S. Antarctic Program 

 (USAP) supports national goals to maintain the Antarctic Treaty, to 

 ensure that the continent continues to be used for peaceful purposes 

 only, to foster internationally cooperative research, to protect the 

 environment, and to ensure equitable and wise use of living and 

 nonliving resources. The U.S. scientific research program continues 

 to be the principal expression of national interest and policy in 

 the Antarctic. Several of the specific elements of the USAP logistics 

 and science support system probably would satisfy the $25 million 

 criterion of the inventory, although others of equal significance 

 would not. 



The research supported in Antarctica is broadly multidisci- 

 plinary, reflects the involvement of a wide variety of institutions 

 and Federal agencies, and includes substantial international coopera- 

 tion. 19/ 



18/ Much of the discussion in this chapter is based on infor- 

 mation supplied by the National Science Foundation, Apr. 1985. 



19/ Further information on the USAP is included in U.S. Con- 

 gress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Dept . of Housing and 

 Urban Development — Independent Agencies Appropriations for 1984. 

 Hearings, 98th Cong. 1st sess. Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off,, 

 1983. p. 4A4-463. 



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