Construction in the South Pole??

I'm grateful to scientists, especially those that set up camp in Antarctica. They are the ones that discovered the hole in the ozone. Not that that has tempered many people or countries from adding to that depletion or even believing that the research is correct.

Its difficult and dangerous enough to construct anything let along have to do it within 110 days each year and 75 degrees below with winds above 100 miles an hour. Everything freezes and fast. I can't even imagine the challenges. Takes the 'just in time' for materials to a new level. They received one shipment of materials a year. The project managers had to be very meticulous and their planning.

I actually lived in Alaska when I was in college. One of the most basic things that is completely different in Alaska is that you don't turn off your ignition when you put gas in your car. You leave it running because the engine could freeze. Many cars also had electric plugs in the front end of the car and you would plug it in when you went into a place of business or stayed in a hotel.

Research Center

My favorite quote from the video was, "there are lots of Plan Bs." Lots of improvisation.  100 workers. Had to take breaks after 90 minutes or frostbite may set in. Interesting note to ward off frostbite is duct tape. Good to know.

The facility is built on stilts that can be jacked up twice to give way to snow buildup. The facility has a 45 year life span. The walls on the inside or made of SIP panels which have been around for 40 years. Energy efficiency is key. 

The most interesting part of the documentary was about the inspection team that came out for 'hell week'. 10 days is a long week for normal construction. You can imagine what it was like for the project manager and his team at the research center in Antarctica. Towards the end of hell week, the team had 52 priority one items to do before the inspection team left in 24 hours.
They pulled it off. What a celebration.....but the health and safety of the 150 people that would live in this facility against those elements should be thankful of the inspection team.

This research facility may change the way we see our planet and universe. Very interesting story.