The Ross Island Earth Station (RIES) is located on a hill overlooking the road between McMurdo Station and Scott Base at 77° 50.89′ South, 166° 40.11′ East. It was constructed in 2021-22 at T-Site (Transmitter Site) on the volcanic rock of the Hut Point Peninsula, about 1.5 km North of McMurdo Station and 3 km Northwest of New Zealand’s Scott Base.
McMurdo Station (US) and Scott Base (NZ) are Antarctic research stations, both located on the Hut Point Peninsula.
The area was selected specifically because it is an electromagnetically quiet and clean area suitable for sensitive upper atmospheric equipment.
This communication satellite dish replaced the dishes located at Black Island, approximately 20 miles from McMurdo.
Hut Point Peninsula (77°47′South 166°51′East) is a long, narrow peninsula from 2 to 3 nautical miles (3.7 to 5.6 km; 2.3 to 3.5 mi) wide and 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) long, projecting south-west from the slopes of Mount Erebus on Ross Island, Antarctica.
In 2022 the Ross Island Earth Station (RIES) satellite telecommunications center was completed near McMurdo Station, which supports satellite communications for the base.
Completed in April 2022, it serves as a cornerstone of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) communications infrastructure.
It provides high-speed satellite links via geosynchronous (GEO) orbit, facilitating massive scientific data transfers, operational logistics, and internet services for station personnel.
Scientific Support: The station aids in global weather forecasting and storm tracking by transmitting atmospheric data collected on-site.
To survive Antarctic extremes, the large satellite dish is housed within a protective radome (a spherical weather-resistant enclosure).
Situated on the Hut Point Peninsula of Ross Island, it offers a direct line of sight to satellites that were previously more difficult to access from other locations on the continent.
While Black Island remains operational, the Ross Island Earth Station significantly increases bandwidth and provides a more reliable, direct connection to the global telecommunications grid.
Read more at: https://sam.gov/opp/699aea1766d17df2398adc152253aac3/view
Also: https://www.mcmurdostation.com/2122/antenna.html
Timelapse of the construction at: https://www.facebook.com/reel/666848134606610
Ross Island Earth Station (RIES), at 77° 50.89′ South, 166° 40.11′ East, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island, Antarctica, will be add on WAP-WADA Directory as WAP USA-NEW