The 43 people at Pole for IceCube this week celebrated Thanksgiving on Saturday the 25th along with other scientists, technicians and support staff at Pole. Flights to South Pole Station were 22 compared to a plan of 23 for this week. To date flights to the South Pole Station are 85 compared to a planned 84 and shuttle service should begin operations early next week. Meanwhile Daily Driller shift meetings continue at the beginning of each of the three shifts and the NSF IceCube conference calls continue each Friday at 8:00 AM, South Pole time.
IceCube is planning to host an "Open House" on Sunday, December 4th, for all South Pole Station personnel. The IceCube Drill Manager will provide details for the "Open House" before the end of November. Weekly Station Science Meetings continue in the B2 Science Laboratory.
The 4th IceCube snowmobile, assembled last Sunday, is in operation in the Seasonal Equipment Site (SES). Positive feedback has been received from the Drill Teams regarding the use and function of the IceCube 287 Caterpillar. This machine was used successfully to drag the Surface Hose into the SES recently.
Two Surface to DOM Cables have arrived as well as many of the DAQ pieces of equipment. The remainder of the DAQ Do Not Freeze equipment should be delivered following the availability of the ICL Jamesway on November 28th. SES cargo delivery is up-to-date in the schedule.
Final connection of the SES with water, fuel, and electrical power supply lines has been completed with the exception of the surface feeder water, power, and signal lines, running to TOS1 and TOS2.
All 20 IceTop tanks are located next to the SES and the sunshade frames have been assembled. Twenty-four Freeze Control Units from the previous season have been removed and are in the process of retro grade shipping back to Bartol via COMAIR. Cable trench surveying has been confirmed and identified with flags. The trenches for the IceTop tank locations has also been surveyed and flagged in preparation for excavation.
Progress continues on the IceCube Laboratory (ICL). RPSC reports the construction remodeling work remains on schedule for the Conditional Occupancy date of December 8th. The ICL Do Not Freeze (DNF) Jamesway will be in place early next week to house the DAQ DNF upon arrival at Pole. DAQ activity is scheduled to begin in full with the installation of DAQ hardware following Conditional Occupancy of the ICL on December 8th.
