NSF picks Lockheed for huge Antarctic support contract

Science : Lockheed Martin has won a contract to support NSF research stations in Antarctica. The new agreement runs for 4.5 years and may be extended for an additional 8.5 years. Lockheed Martin will be responsible for providing all nonscientific needs for the three Antarctic stations—from sustenance, shelter, and medical services to electricity, communications, and transportation. Providing adequate computing power, remote access, and data management will be among Lockheed’s biggest challenges. Neither NSF nor Lockheed would discuss the terms of the contract.