NASA's support to the WomenQuest team is in response to a request from Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow who asked if NASA could provide technology that would lend communications support to the WomenQuest expedition in the very remote environment around the geographic North Pole.

TDRS-F1, launched by the space shuttle in 1983, was the first in a series of seven geosynchronous satellites intended for satellite-to-satellite communications. The F1 satellite is uniquely suited for this mission because it is now in an orbit that is inclined enough to see the geographic Poles for five hours each day. In addition, NASA is coordinating support for the team from NOAA, the National Naval Ice Center, and Environment Canada. Daily images from NOAA and DMSP satellites, and forecasts generated by a NOAA meteorologist in Suitland, Md., will be provided to the skiers on route via their portable satellite phones.

With the cooperation of the National Science Foundation, the TDRS F1 satellite provides high speed Internet connectivity and high-speed data return services daily to the Amundsen-Scott Station at the "bottom of the Earth." Two years ago, TDRS-F1 was instrumental in providing video conferencing support to the Station's medical doctor who was diagnosed with breast cancer. This month, it was invaluable in providing video conferencing for another medical emergency at the South Pole, once again involving the Station's physician.

WomenQuest seeks to encourage young women to pursue challenging careers that could involve extreme environments. The expedition marks the first attempt of an all-women group to the Pole from a Russian-based departure. The ski team set out on April 14 from the Russian Ice Station, Borneo, a huge floating sheet of sea ice located north of Siberia at around 88 N latitude. They plan to reach the North Pole on April 24.

In addition to the live webcast at the Pole on the 24th, NASA will conduct several live webcasts between students in the United States and the Goddard scientists and technologists on route.

This small team of researchers, part of an educational program pioneered at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., called "You Be The Scientist," will collect video segments and satellite images, conduct interviews and set up live webcasts between schools and the scientists. During these webcasts students can download the same satellite images that are being taken for the field scientists and discuss them via the Internet.

The EOS-sponsored "You Be the Scientist" program brings NASA's unique data products into the schools where they can be used to engage students and enhance learning. "The webcasts augment what they are already learning in class, but these exciting virtual field trips bring students right to the remote locations," said Mike Comberiate, creator of the "You Be the Scientist" program.

This particular set of webcasts will demonstrate how NASA is using satellites to monitor the Earth processes and to understand the variables in climate models. Topics will include remote sensing and global warming. Goddard scientist Dr Gunther Kletetschka and Aqua Instrument Manager Ken Anderson will conduct the webcasts from the very high latitude Canadian Arctic at 75N and 80N. Several satellites, including Terra, which routinely take data over the Arctic, will download post-processed imagery to the "You Be the Scientist" web site http://coolspace.gsfc.nasa.gov/northpole2001 for students to access during these events.