CHABLISLiving & Working at Halley

Russ Ladkin

Instrumentation Engineer

Cargo

• To Stores/Commercial packers September

• Ship departs UK in October

• Normal cargo can reach +35°C through tropics

• Vibration during SnoCat transport

• Freezing whilst depoted outside

Living at Halley

• Time - approx 2/3 Science, 1/3 Communal

• Not always able to reach external buildings

• Summer versus Winter

CASLAB Platform

The Environment• Temperature: Summer 0°C, Winter –25°C• Extremes: +5°C to –55°C• Wind predominantly ENE, Gusts to 80 knots.• 3 months sun, 3 months dark• Weather: Drift/Blowing snow, fog, rime• Snow Accumulation: 1 metre +/- 0.5 m

Problems(1)

• Cold: plastics, insulation, lubricants, electronics

gloved use - (IP65 & Military spec connectors)

differential contraction• UV: plastics• Wind: vibration (including main platforms)• Rime: ice accretion

Problems (2)• Ice Shelf: movement (2m/day) & rotation• Radio interference: 1kW transmitters & radar• Power Generation: Dropouts• Blowing Snow: STATIC (& NO Earth)• Contamination: vehicles, aircraft• Snow accumulation: Burying & Windtails • Spares: it’s a long way to the shops

Scientific Support

• Electronics engineer/workshop• Mechanics, Garage facilities• Scientific data management• General Computing Support - Win NT/2000, Red Hat Linux - Novell networking - Time server

Communications

• Satellite e-mail twice daily or on demand

• Working towards continual internet/e-mail

• Satellite Fax and Phone

• Yearly data return