In the vast, frozen expanse of Antarctica, where the environment is as unforgiving as it is awe-inspiring, Parsons is paving the way for the future of global scientific research through our expertise in program and construction management, engineering, planning, and logistics in the world’s most remote and extreme environment.
A Legacy Forged In Ice
Parsons’ over 50 years of polar operations experience began on the North Slope of Alaska in 1970 and later expanded to the icy frontiers of Antarctica.
This legacy is now being extended through our role in the Scott Base Redevelopment, a flagship infrastructure project led by Antarctica New Zealand. As the technical partner to construction company LT McGuinness, Parsons is providing critical expertise in engineering and construction planning for the redevelopment of New Zealand’s permanent research station on Ross Island.
The project’s first phase includes a new Base Services building for accommodation, refurbishment of the Hillary Field Centre for science operations, and upgrades to critical infrastructure, including the Ross Island Wind Energy system. With concept design completed and preliminary design underway, we are helping shape a resilient, sustainable, and digitally enabled research hub that will serve scientists for decades to come.
Infrastructure Partner For The Future
Currently, we’re supporting the Antarctic Infrastructure and Modernization for Science (AIMS) project at the McMurdo Station and are well-positioned to further support the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) mission in Antarctica. We joined forces with V2X to form the Polar Science Alliance (PSA), a joint venture purpose-built to pursue the Antarctic Science and Engineering Support Contract (ASESC). The $8 billion contract awardee will provide comprehensive support services to the United States Antarctic Program over a 20-year period.
We are proud to team with V2X in this endeavor, as the Polar Science Alliance represents a convergence of mission-driven innovation, operational excellence, and a shared commitment to enabling science in a region unlike any other on Earth.
A Strategic Partner For NSF’s Vision
Parsons’ ability to engineer for extreme environments gives us a distinct advantage. In Antarctica, this means designing infrastructure capable of withstanding brutal weather conditions, operating sustainably, and supporting evolving scientific research needs. It means leveraging digital twin technology, AI-driven logistics, and advanced modeling to optimize performance and reduce risk. And above all, it means delivering with precision, accountability, and a deep respect for the environment.
We recognize this work as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of Antarctic scientific research. The NSF needs a partner who understands the stakes, the science, and the scale of the mission. Parsons is that partner, delivering infrastructure to advance the understanding of Antarctica and its ecosystems, explore the continent’s impact on global systems like climate, and utilize the continent’s unique conditions for groundbreaking research opportunities.