NASA | OIB: Four-wheeling Antarctica

Kyle participates in NASA's Operation Icebridge, traveling from Virginia to Antarctica to measure ice changes using aircraft-mounted lasers. Precise calibration is crucial, requiring ground stations and reference maps. Challenges arise at McMurdo Station due to its floating ice runway, leading to a trip to Black Island for accurate ground measurements. Despite harsh conditions, the mission succeeds, and Kyle returns with valuable data.

What is the primary goal of the Operation Icebridge mission?

• To study the wildlife in polar regions

• To test new aircraft technologies

• To measure the changing ice on our planet

• To explore new territories in Antarctica

Why is precise calibration crucial for the Operation Icebridge mission?

• To ensure the aircraft can land safely

• To communicate with satellites

• To accurately measure the ice thickness

• To track the movement of polar bears

What makes Black Island a suitable location for measuring the actual ground?

• The wind blows the snow off, exposing the dirt

• It has a stable ice runway

• It has a mild climate

• It is easily accessible by helicopter

What was a major challenge the team faced during their mission at McMurdo Station?

• Lack of food supplies

• Communication issues

• Extreme wind conditions

• Equipment malfunction

What was the outcome of the mission after returning to Virginia?

• The data was clean and successful

• The equipment was damaged

• The data was incomplete

• The mission was canceled