We want to provide an update on the current status of the Polar Geospatial Center’s operations and support offerings, as we continue to navigate uncertain funding circumstances.
Currently, PGC is still awaiting core renewal funding from the National Science Foundation. Our NASA award has also concluded. Thus our operations remain limited. Our hope is to resume support for NSF Office of Polar Programs researchers and logistics teams in the near future but a clear timetable is not currently available.
Below, please see updates on the status of PGC services during this intervening period.
PGC Antarctic Deployment
PGC’s planning for deployment for the upcoming 2025-26 Antarctic field season has been delayed and this may inhibit PGC’s ability to provide on-site support at McMurdo Station. We recognize the impact this uncertainty has on planned science and logistics efforts, and we remain hopeful for funding to support the community to the fullest extent.
Support Information Package (SIP) Requests
Upon arrival of NSF renewal funding, PGC staff will contact all USAP event PIs that have requested PGC support in their SIPs to determine how to best support their field activities prior to their deployments and field work.
Satellite Tasking
Despite the funding pause, we are continuing internal efforts to solicit the community for imagery tasking targets for the 2025-26 austral summer and future support, positioning ourselves to be ready when funding is restored. These efforts are focused on preserving continuity of data coverage so we can return to providing services as seamlessly as possible once operations resume. As a result, the 2025 Antarctic Tasking Solicitation will be distributed in the coming days.
While new data requests are still suspended, we encourage researchers, project teams, and logistics personnel to make use of the many publicly available online resources and services on the PGC website (https://www.pgc.umn.edu):
- FRIDGE: access ArcticDEM and REMA, our high-resolution polar elevation datasets
- NGA Public Release Requests: complete and submit your public release request of licensed imagery/DEMs to PGC for approval
- Public Map Catalog: download from a curated collection of historical and contemporary maps across the Arctic and Antarctic
- Aerial imagery: access historic aerial photographs from Antarctica and Alaska
- Guides and Tutorials: continue learning from our available training materials, how-tos, and FAQs
- Imagery Mosaic Viewers: *available to actively funded NSF OPP users with PGC accounts to explore high-resolution 50cm polar imagery basemaps
We understand how disruptive this period is for the community and appreciate your patience and support. Please continue to check the PGC website for updates and subscribe to our newsletter. We remain deeply committed to the polar research and logistics communities.
If your work is impacted by these changes, we strongly encourage you to communicate with your NSF or NASA program officer.
Thank you for your continued support,
The PGC User Services Team
Read the original newsletter here.