The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs and the NSF Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure are exploring the feasibility of a Science Monitoring and Reliable Telecommunications (SMART) Submarine Fiber Optic Cable system. The cable concept proposes to connect the largest research facility in Antarctica, NSF McMurdo Station, with either Invercargill, New Zealand or Sydney, Australia using the high-speed National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) that interconnect with the U.S. The cable would incorporate scientific sensors to provide an enduring observational instrumentation platform for the sparsely observed Southern Ocean.
NSF has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to facilitate concept definition of a proposed subsea telecommunications and science instrumentation cable to Antarctica with input from industry, academia, non-profits, government, philanthropic and other interested parties.
The RFI includes background information, links to relevant studies and research community reports and an electronic online submission form for the public to provide feedback.
Read the full announcement and participate in the electronic online submission.
Please Note: The published closure for RFI comments has been extended from November 5, 2024, to January 15, 2025.