South Pole Station Tour - Part 3 - The buried sections

In this part 3 of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station tour, I take you under the ice to the power plant, logistics arch, a peek into the fuel arch, and the vehicle maintenance facility (garage).
All of these facilities are essential for life on the Elevated Station, and are connected to it via the Vertical Tower (aka beer can). Let me show you around!

00:49 - Power Plant
01:44 - Logistics Arch and Do Not Freeze (DNF)
05:00 - Hoarfrost and water crystals
06:49 - A peek back into the Fuel Arch
07:56 - Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF)

[erics.]

I worked and lived there the summer of 2012-13. It's so nice to walk down memory lane, thank you.

[DrForester]

So just to do the math: if the generator uses 45 gallons per hour consistently (I'm sure it fluctuates though), that equals 394, 200 gallons of fuel per year (12 months) or 2, 660, 850 lbs (assuming the average 6.75 lbs/gallon for jet fuel) or 1, 330 tons. I'm sure that many folks would be appalled at those numbers, but when compared to the massive quantities of diesel used to power and heat the arctic oil operations each year, it's a drop in the bucket (pun intended).

[Pkripper-]

What I’m noticing is the entire structure itself. Like, the underground sections have smooth concrete floors. How did all of this construction happen in such a frigid environment? It’s fascinating.

[RevMikeBlack]

My childhood next door neighbor and surfing buddy went to medical school on a United States Navy scholarship. After becoming a doctor, the Navy sent him to Amundsen Scott base for a year. He liked it so much that he volunteered for a second year, which is unusual. He was an avid outdoorsman and considered it to be an opportunity of a lifetime. After finishing his tour at the south pole, the Navy rewarded him with a post in Hawaii where he finished his commitment and went into private practice. From what he told me, Antarctica is a special place that sets its hooks into you quickly.

[brentbraniff]

I think one of the most interesting thing about these videos is that they show how much like home the living conditions are. Of course, I live in North Dakota so snow and cold are pretty normal to me. The vehicle maintenance area is almost like every farm implement service garage I've been in....complete with a radio blasting classic rock. Pretty cool!!

[kailashbtw]

This is literally UNBELIEVABLY cool to see all this behind the scenes for A-S Station! never knew the underground part even existed, but that is clearly where the magic happens for surviving in the antarctic.

[wilsonle]

It reminds me of being on a Destroyer in the Navy. Totally self-contained in the same fashion that your station is.

[joelaugustin]

It's fascinating to see how many people in the comments make obvious barely thought out recommendations for how the base could be better powered, ostensibly to the people who built and have run a massive base on the bottom of the world, for decades. As if nobody thought over so many winters with so much time to pass, "huh, it's pretty bright and windy out there!"

Thank you for your great videos Joe, do you want to go back? Do people make long careers out of working there or do most only work a couple seasons?

[Backbeardjack]

As an engineer this whole station is just amazing to see in operation! If you can, please do an interview/tour of all the important engineering parts of the station, if any engineer is willing.

I‘d be really interested in seeing how this massive feat of survival and even comfort is achieved!

[tayzonday]

This is so amazing. It's like I'm there, even though I'm never going to be ;-)

[toddcunningham]

"Held up by these, uh, arch, metal, girder, structure things."

Spoken like a true medical professional. Lol!

[tnvcxzd]

I was at McMurdo 20 years ago, never made it to Pole but new facility was under construction. Amazing to see it here. There is a book called "Blazing Ice" about the creation of the traverse route.

[johnr]

That would be a wonderful place to live. No excessive heat, no humidity, no insects. Nice!

[abathens]

Nothing like hearing "One of these Nights" at the South Pole. Nice touch of home.

[redmesa]

I used to work in a fleet maintenance shop.
That shop tour, with the jamming music made me feel a home again,

[garyowen]

Thank you!
You just answered every question I had about fuel, fuel burn, storage, and fuel delivery I had asked form previous video.

[burningchrome]

The Maintenance/Vehicle Bay restored my faith in humanity. Thank you for this.

[mystscot]

Thank you Joe for the guided tour of the station in the 3 videos. I'm in absolute shock and awe at what is on the station. Having a basketball court was the last thing I'd ever expected and the music room. I guess many of us would love to work in this type of facility, away from the constraints of busy city life. I've just recently subscribed, so I have many videos to catch up on. Again, many thanks for taking the time to record the videos, appreciated.

[JedRichards]

Heh - loved the vibe in the vehicle maintenance bay, with the Eagles in the background. Real sci-fi off world colony vibes, except without the hard vacuum outside.

[WhileLtRockEqOn]

Watched all 3 parts, love them - awesome work John.

On a side note, this is basically what one of the first permanent colonies on Mars will look like - keeping in mind that going outside will require an EVA suit and the tour/stay will likely last 3 years (instead of 6 months).