Request for Information (RFI): Development of an Antarctic Subsea Telecommunications Cable for Science
The U.S. National Science Foundation has issued a request for information (RFI) to facilitate the concept definition of a proposed subsea telecommunications and science instrumentation cable to Antarctica with input from industry, academia, nonprofits, 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. To read the full announcement and participate in the electronic online submission, visit
Please Note: The published closure for RFI comments has been extended from Nov. 5, 2024, to Jan. 15, 2025. Further announcements and information may be found on the NSF web page: https://new.nsf.gov/geo/opp/ant/antarctic-subsea-cable.
Synopsis:
View from Space (Altitude: 17,202 mi)
The cable concept proposes to connect the largest research facility in Antarctica, the U.S. McMurdo Station, with either Invercargill, New Zealand, or Sydney, Australia, with the global telecommunications infrastructure. The cable would incorporate scientific sensors to provide an enduring observational instrumentation platform for the sparsely observed Southern Ocean. Specifically, the cable proposes to host the point science sensor concept promoted by the United Nations Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO - the Joint Task Force on Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications Cables, commonly known as SMART (Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications). The cable would also leverage the rapidly evolving capability of distributed fiber sensing.
The NSF directorates for Geosciences, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, and Technology, Innovation and Partnerships view the concept of subsea cable to potentiate transformational changes in the conduct and execution of science and innovative public-private partnerships linking science and technology for broad societal benefit. NSF encourages broad participation in the RFI from the communities represented by the directorates.