Latest news with #USNationalScienceFoundation
Fox News
4 days ago
- Climate
- Fox News
Three Americans evacuated from Antarctica after medical emergency at research station
New Zealand's air force carried out a nearly 20-hour medical evacuation to rescue three Americans from Antarctica, calling it a high-risk mission conducted in freezing temperatures and total darkness. The U.S. National Science Foundation requested the evacuation after three staff members at McMurdo Station were unable to receive adequate medical treatment on-site. One of the individuals required urgent care, while the other two also needed medical attention and were transported as a precaution, according to New Zealand's air force. Air Commodore Andy Scott, head of New Zealand's air component, said mid-winter flights to Antarctica are among the most difficult missions due to shifting weather, extreme cold and ice landings in total darkness. "The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state," Scott said. "The United States Antarctic Program Winter Team must physically create the runway before we can depart by ensuring the ice is groomed and suitable for landing. "Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on Night Vision Goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge," he added. "This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly." A medical team, including a physician, accompanied the crew to provide in-flight care during the return to Christchurch. The aircraft was pre-positioned from Auckland to Christchurch on Sunday, with a crew on standby for a weather window. The crew made the decision on Tuesday to fly to Antarctica, working through the night to complete the mission. After landing on the ice runway, the aircraft's engines remained running to prevent freezing during refueling, the air force said. The round-trip mission lasted 19.5 hours, with the aircraft touching down in Christchurch on Wednesday morning. Temperatures at McMurdo Station dropped to -11°F during the operation, adding to the already dangerous conditions. Melissa Sweeney, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to New Zealand, praised the operation as "flawless." "We are so very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didn't hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class," she said.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
US research station staff evacuated from Antarctica in high-risk operation
The New Zealand air force has evacuated three people from a US research base in Antarctica in a high-risk operation that required navigating through extreme weather and round-the-clock darkness. The air force said on Wednesday the United National Science Foundation requested a medical evacuation for three of its staff members based at the McMurdo Station, one of whom needed urgent medical care. The crew of the C-130J Hercules flew on Tuesday afternoon, working through the night to complete the mission, the air force said. Between March to October, Antarctica is plunged into constant night and can experience dangerous storms. Temperatures at the McMurdo Station fell to -24C on Tuesday. Travel to the icy continent during this period is restricted to emergencies, with crews having to navigate extreme conditions, changing weather and landing on ice. Mid-winter flights to Antarctic are one of the most challenging operations the air force perform, said air commodore Andy Scott. The US team had to clear a runway and ensure the ice was 'groomed and suitable for landing', before the flight could depart New Zealand, Scott said. 'Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on night vision goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge,' he said. 'This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly.' Once on the ice, the plane's engines are kept running to keep them warm while it is refuelled, known as 'hot refuelling'. The Hercules flew to Antarctica with a doctor on board to care for the patients during the flight. The plane landed back in Christchurch on Wednesday morning, after a 19.5 hour round trip. In a statement, the US embassy expressed its 'deep appreciation' to the air force. 'This mission wasn't just difficult; it was one of the most technically demanding operations an aircrew can face,' said Melissa Sweeney, the US chargé d'affaires in New Zealand. 'This required absolute precision … This is the kind of mission that tests every ounce of skill and bravery,' Sweeney added.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
US research station staff evacuated from Antarctica in high-risk operation
The New Zealand air force has evacuated three people from a US research base in Antarctica in a high-risk operation that required navigating through extreme weather and round-the-clock darkness. The air force said on Wednesday the United National Science Foundation requested a medical evacuation for three of its staff members based at the McMurdo Station, one of whom needed urgent medical care. The crew of the C-130J Hercules flew on Tuesday afternoon, working through the night to complete the mission, the air force said. Between March to October, Antarctica is plunged into constant night and can experience dangerous storms. Temperatures at the McMurdo Station fell to -24C on Tuesday. Travel to the icy continent during this period is restricted to emergencies, with crews having to navigate extreme conditions, changing weather and landing on ice. Mid-winter flights to Antarctic are one of the most challenging operations the air force perform, said air commodore Andy Scott. The US team had to clear a runway and ensure the ice was 'groomed and suitable for landing', before the flight could depart New Zealand, Scott said. 'Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on night vision goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge,' he said. 'This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly.' Once on the ice, the plane's engines are kept running to keep them warm while it is refuelled, known as 'hot refuelling'. The Hercules flew to Antarctica with a doctor on board to care for the patients during the flight. The plane landed back in Christchurch on Wednesday morning, after a 19.5 hour round trip. In a statement, the US embassy expressed its 'deep appreciation' to the air force. 'This mission wasn't just difficult; it was one of the most technically demanding operations an aircrew can face,' said Melissa Sweeney, the US chargé d'affaires in New Zealand. 'This required absolute precision … This is the kind of mission that tests every ounce of skill and bravery,' Sweeney added.
1News
5 days ago
- Science
- 1News
Air Force pulls off 'courageous' medical evacuation from Antarctica
The Royal New Zealand Air Force carried out a "complex" and "high-risk" medical evacuation from Antarctica overnight. One US diplomat described the successful mission as "daring, dangerous, and deeply courageous". The evacuation from McMurdo Station — the largest research station on the continent, located on Ross Island's southern tip — was requested by the US National Science Foundation because staff were unable to get the care they needed in Antarctica. A C-130J Hercules was sent from Auckland to Christchurch on Sunday while the crew waited for a gap in the weather. The crew decided to fly yesterday afternoon and worked through the night. Defence Force staff on the ground in Antarctica. (Source: Supplied) ADVERTISEMENT One person who required urgent care, as well as two others who needed medical attention, were picked up by the Air Force from the Antarctic base. Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said the crew contended with challenging conditions, landing a large aircraft in freezing temperatures. The crew needed night vision goggles in the extreme darkness. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, new report into submersible implosion, body found in Auckland park, and mixed injury news for the Warriors. (Source: 1News) On the ground, staff at the base had to create a runway to ensure the ice was suitable for landing. 'Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on night vision goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge," Scott said. Pilots needed to make a complex and high risk landing. (Source: Supplied) 'This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly." ADVERTISEMENT Once on the ice, the plane's engines remained running to keep them warm while refuelling, known as "hot refuelling". Including the short time on the ice, the whole operation took around 19.5 hours. US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Melissa Sweeney said the crew executed the mission "flawlessly". A member of the RNZAF at McMurdo Station. (Source: Supplied) 'This required absolute precision. It was daring, dangerous, and deeply courageous. This is the kind of mission that tests every ounce of skill and bravery. The Royal New Zealand Air Force delivered, just as they always do.' The aircraft flew back to New Zealand with Defence Forece medical personnel, including a doctor, on board to care for the patients. The flight touched down in Christchurch this morning, with those evacuated treated in Christchurch. ADVERTISEMENT Sweeny said the US was "so very grateful" to the RNZAF, saying the operation "brought hope in the middle of the Antarctic night". RNZAF personnel on the ground in Antarctica. (Source: Supplied) "Their skill and readiness are truly world-class. 'Only the best crews can pull off something like this, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force proved, again, that they're among the very best. This isn't luck, it's professionalism, planning, and a level of capability that few can match.' Similar missions were successfully executed by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 2021 and 2024. McMurdo Station was home to up to 1100 people a week during the summer months, and up to 200 a week during winter.
Irish Examiner
02-07-2025
- Science
- Irish Examiner
Largest digital camera ever built reveals its first shots of the universe
The largest digital camera ever built released its first shots of the universe on Monday — including colourful nebulas, stars and galaxies. The Vera C Rubin Observatory, located on a mountaintop in Chile, was built to take a deeper look at the night sky, covering hidden corners. Funded by the US National Science Foundation and US Department of Energy, it will survey the southern sky for the next 10 years. An image provided by the NSF-DOE Vera C Rubin Observatory (NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory via AP) The observatory's first look features the vibrant Trifid and Lagoon nebulas located thousands of light-years from Earth. A light-year is nearly six trillion miles. A gaggle of galaxies known as the Virgo Cluster were also captured, including two bright blue spirals. The observatory hopes to image 20 billion galaxies and discover new asteroids and other celestial objects. The effort is named after astronomer Vera Rubin, who offered the first tantalising evidence that a mysterious force called dark matter might be lurking in the universe. Researchers hope the observatory's discerning camera may yield clues about this elusive entity along with another called dark energy.
