Introduction
from the fantail, where a coring track and J-frame supported the piston coring
work. Seven containers housed the science activities not accommodated within
internal spaces: two on the maindeck, portside, for seismic work; two on the
maindeck, starboard side, for biology, including radioisotope work; one on
the 02 deck, starboard side, for ice core processing; and two on the 02 deck, port
side, for radiation measurements and air and upper ocean chemistry. The latter
container was adjoined by a liquid-nitrogen generating plant producing 35-
40 L/day in support of a number of science programs. In addition, the port
bridge wing housed a portion of the air sampling equipment. The biological
productivity incubators were sited on the 01 deck, starboard side.
For expedition planning and to enhance navigation through the difficult
ice conditions, an underway "ice center" was established aboard the Louis S.
St-Laurent. Ice information was received from several sources, including real-
time satellite imagery, fixed-wing aircraft reconnaissance (synthetic aperture
radar and visual information), helicopter reconnaissance, shipborne radar and
visual surveillance from each icebreaker. Extensive use was made of the real-time
satellite images received and processed aboard the Polar Sea. Special sensor micro-
wave imager (SSM/I from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) and
advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR from National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration satellites) images were received and processed
using a Terascan system. Sea ice concentration maps derived from the SSM/I
data, which proved invaluable for both strategic and tactical navigation, could
normally be produced and made available for interpretation less than one hour
after a satellite pass. All satellite information could be passed to the ice center
aboard the Louis S. St-Laurent using a VHF-FM ship-to-ship data link.
Effective helicopter ice reconnaissance was crucial to tactical navigation
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