National Science Foundation

The International Antarctic Center, which opened in 1990, was designed and constructed by the Christchurch Airport Authority Ltd. Located next to the Christchurch International Airport on South Island, New Zealand, the center provides services for national programs that pass through New Zealand to support research in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica.

The United States Antarctic Program (USAP) and the New Zealand Antarctic Research (NZAP) Program, both of which moved from older facilities in Christchurch, have long-term leases on space at the facility. The center houses the NZAP headquarters and USAP administrative offices for the National Science Foundation, NSF's antarctic support contractor (Antarctic Support Associates), and the U.S. Naval Antarctic Support Unit. Also, included at the center are facilities for processing passengers traveling to and from Antarctica, a polar-clothing distribution area, storage space, an antarctic library, medical facilities, and the U.S. Navy Fleet post office.

As rapidly changing political, economic, and environmental factors alter the way in which scientific research is conducted in Antarc- tica, countries supporting year-round research programs are searching for safer, more cost-effective ways to operate. The new center represents a step toward this goal. By bringing together established national antarctic programs that operate in the Ross Sea area and by providing operational support -- particularly state-of-the-art technology -- the center enables other countries to plan and conduct cooperative research and operations more efficiently. In addition, countries operating on an expeditionary basis can use the center to coordinate their activities more effectively. Italy has space in theh center, and France is consid- ering use of the center for advance antarctic quarters.

The International Antarctic Center has three phases.

• Phase 1, which has been completed, consists of two large buildings that provide support and operational services to national programs;
  

• Phase 2, also completed, is an antarctic cultural and information center.
  

• Phase 3, not started, will consist of temporary living quarters for science and support personnel traveling between Christchurch and Antarctica.