Any changes would most likely require NSF funding. Bill Decker is the NASA Program Director for Advanced Network Infrastructure. It was thought that New Mexico State in Las Cruces may be a vBNS award recipient. Synergisms for a data center management, vBNS connectivity, and satellite operations support were briefly discussed regarding support for South Pole as a means to provide needed service and keep total operating expense down. The communications issues raised by scientists at South Pole are not different than those raised by space scientists.
Scientists are concerned about the latency of the data ranging from hours and minutes to seconds.
International partnering is possible to reduce cost. Regardless of the satellite selected, significant systems engineering is required. NSF should pattern its pursuit of communications for South Pole Station like NASA's capability to develop dedicated space missions. South Pole Station is an excellent space station analogue. It is a world class science facility operating in an extremely hostile polar environment.