Maps and Exploration

Antarctic Snow Cruiser

The Antarctic Snow Cruiser was a vehicle designed under the direction of Thomas Poulter, intended to facilitate transport in Antarctica during the United States Antarctic Service Expedition (1939–41). The Snow Cruiser was also known as "The Penguin," "Penguin 1" or "Turtle" in some published material. Poulter had been second in command of Byrd's Second Antarctic Expedition, launched in 1934. Drawing on his experience in Antarctica, Poulter devised several innovative features. The massive Snow Cruiser generally failed to operate as hoped under the difficult conditions (the tires, notably smooth to avoid becoming snow encrusted, did not grip the ice) and was eventually abandoned in Antarctica. Rediscovered under a deep layer of snow in 1958, it later disappeared again due to shifting ice conditions. Its whereabouts have been unknown since then.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Australian Capital Territory
• ▸Enceladus Orbilander
• ▸Big Diomede Island

Uncatalogued shelf

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