The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) supports significant research infrastructure, including facilities, aircraft and ships, that provide state-of-the-art assets for the geoscience community.
GEO-supported infrastructure spans the directorate's divisions and office, to enable groundbreaking science and inspire collaborations across disciplines.
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Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS)
NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR)
NSF NCAR is a federally funded research and development center in Boulder, Colorado. It is a focal point for research in the field of atmospheric sciences and hosts approximately 750 scientists and support personnel.
NCAR is managed under a cooperative agreement between the NSF and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a nonprofit consortium of North American universities with graduate programs in atmospheric sciences.
NSF/NCAR C-130
The NSF/NCAR C-130 aircraft is a medium-sized utility aircraft ideal for studies of the planetary boundary layer and middle and lower troposphere.
In a typical research configuration, the aircraft can carry 13,000 pounds of payload and fly for 8 to 9 hours. It can also extend a ramp mid-flight to allow you to deploy specialized equipment like ocean buoys.
NSF/NCAR HIAPER Gulfstream GV
The NSF/NCAR High-performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research (NSF/NCAR HIAPER) aircraft is a mid-sized airborne research platform for scientists and researchers studying air quality and chemistry, atmospheric dynamics and cloud properties, among other topics.
It can carry 5,600 pounds of payload and fly at higher altitudes for approximately 9 hours for typical research configurations. The aircraft can collect in-situ and remote sensing data and deploy expendable instruments.
NSF NCAR Airborne Phased Array Radar (NSF APAR)
(Coming soon.) This radar system will measure clouds and severe storms worldwide, including over oceans, rough land and forested regions, which are mostly unreachable by conventional radar systems.
APAR will have new capabilities to see deep into the 3D structure of intense storms and cloud systems. NCAR plans to operate the phased array in 2028 when it completes final development, testing and implementation.
NSF Wyoming King Air research aircraft
The NSF Wyoming King Air is a relatively small and lightweight aircraft that supports research projects on atmospheric chemistry, cloud physics, aerosols, air quality and energy exchange between the surface of the Earth and its lower atmosphere.
Under a typical research configuration, it can carry 16,500 pounds and fly for up to 4 hours. The King Air is managed under a cooperative agreement with the University of Wyoming and was updated with new and improved sensors and equipment in September 2024.
Division of Earth Sciences (EAR)
NSF EarthScope Consortium Geodetic Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (NSF GAGE)
NSF GAGE is a distributed, multi-user national facility operated by EarthScope Consortium that serves a broad spectrum of geosciences disciplines that use geodetic techniques, like GPS, for Earth, atmospheric and polar sciences.
NSF EarthScope Consortium Seismological Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (NSF SAGE)
NSF SAGE is a distributed, multi-user national facility operated by EarthScope Consortium providing seismic and related geophysical instrumentation and services to support research and education in the geosciences.
NSF Arizona State University Facility for Open Research in a Compressed Environment (FORCE)
The FORCE facility is hosted at Arizona State University to study matter at extremely high pressure and high temperature under conditions of compression and stress.
Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE)
U.S. Academic Research Fleet
The fleet currently includes 17 oceanographic vessels and various submersibles that visit the seafloor and sub-seafloor environment, in the oceans, the Great Lakes and remote polar regions. NSF, the Office of Naval Research and U.S. universities and laboratories own the fleet, which is operated by research universities and laboratories.
The fleet's technologically advanced ships, submersibles, and autonomous vehicles collect observational data on Earth systems. Through at-sea sampling and observing, researchers have begun to understand, model and predict how marine populations respond to both episodic and long-term changes in ocean conditions.
Regional Class Research Vessels (RCRV): (Coming soon) A trio of ships that will modernize and support the U.S. Academic Fleet. Each RCRV will be a floating laboratory for ocean-going scientists, capable of precise station-keeping for water column and sediment sampling, and supporting remotely operated and autonomous vehicles. The vessels will also allow shore-based scientists to virtually participate in ship-based activities, greatly expanding the potential user base
- The R/V Taani will be the first to complete construction; Oregon State University will operate the vessel on the West Coast.
- The R/V Narragansett Dawn will follow the R/V Taani the East Coast Oceanographic Consortium led by the University of Rhode Island will operate the vessel on the East Coast.
- The R/V Gilbert R. Mason will be the final vessel to complete construction; the Gulf-Caribbean Oceanographic Consortium will operate the vessel in the Gulf of Mexico and nearby waters.
NSF Ocean Observatories Initiative
This ocean-observing network delivers real-time data from more than 900 instruments in the ocean. The initiative helps us study ocean processes like the relationship between the high-latitude North Atlantic and global carbon cycle.
We also rely on the instruments to monitor underwater volcanoes and earthquakes, which can trigger tsunamis with 100-foot waves. You can use the comprehensive and free data explorer to look for information by location and instrument, among other topics.
NSF Global Ocean Biogeochemistry Array
This global robotic network includes autonomous robotic floats to monitor the ocean.
U.S. Scientific Ocean Drilling Program
The program (formerly the International Ocean Discovery Program, or IODP) is a network of drilling platforms and technologies that allow researchers to explore the ocean basins and Earth's evolution and structure.
National Deep Submergence Facility
Operates a fleet of underwater vehicles to explore, sample and map the deep ocean. The vehicles are owned by other institutions but receive funding from NSF. The fleet includes:
- HOV Alvin - Alvin is a human-occupied vehicle that enables data collection and observation by two scientists to depths reaching 6,500 meters, during dives lasting up to ten hours.
- ROV Jason - Jason is a remotely operated vehicle that allows scientists to have access to the seafloor without leaving the deck of a ship.
- AUV Sentry - Sentry is an autonomous underwater vehicle capable of exploring the ocean down to 6,000 meters.
Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
NSF McMurdo Station
The largest of the U.S. year-round stations and the largest station on the continent. It is the central logistical hub for the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), supporting research on the continent and at NSF Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
NSF Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
The southernmost year-round research station in the world, serving as a critical center for cutting-edge scientific research and a logistical hub for access to East Antarctica.
NSF Palmer Station
The northernmost U.S. year-round research station in Antarctica, serving as a key center for marine and biological research in the peninsula region.
RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer
The flagship icebreaking research vessel of USAP. The vessel's icebreaking capacity, berthing capacity and advanced scientific capabilities are unique in NSF, and within the entire U.S. fleet of scientific research vessels.
Summit Station
The only high altitude, high latitude, inland, year‐round observing station in the Arctic. It offers immediate access to the free troposphere and is relatively free of local influences that could corrupt atmospheric observations.