Antarctic Outpost: Difference between revisions

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The Antarctic Outpost is a defense facility left behind by the Ancients when they took their
The Antarctic Outpost is a defense facility left behind by the Ancients when they took their
city-ship "Atlantis" to the Pegasus Galaxy. It is the site of powerful weapons which led
city-ship "Atlantis" to the Pegasus Galaxy. It was the site of powerful weapons that led
to the destruction of Anubis' attacking fleet. (7.22 "Lost City Part 2")
to the destruction of Anubis' attacking fleet, but after being moved to Area 51, were destroyed by a Wraith attack on Earth. (7.22 "Lost City Part 2"; ''Stargate Atlantis'': 5.20 "Enemy at the Gate")


==Stargate References==
==Stargate References==
Line 22: Line 22:
6.04 "Frozen").
6.04 "Frozen").


Originally near the location of the city of Atlantis, which is now in the  
Originally near the location of the city of Atlantis, which was in the  
Pegasus Galaxy, the Antarctic Outpost appears to be some sort of defense  
Pegasus Galaxy at the time of the Outpost's discovery, the Antarctic Outpost appeared to be primarily a defense  
outpost.
outpost.


The most prominent features of the outpost are the chair and a cryogenic
The most prominent features of the Outpost were the chair and a stasis
chamber. The chair occupies a central circular chamber with the cryo
chamber. The chair occupied a central circular chamber with the stasis chamber off to the side. The Outpost also has a set of Rings.
chamber off to the side.


===Defense Weapons===
===First Use of the Defense Weapons===
{|
{|
|valign="top"|[[Image:antarctic-outpost-new-zpm.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Jack installs new ZPM]]
|valign="top"|[[Image:antarctic-outpost-new-zpm.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Jack installs new ZPM]]
Line 40: Line 39:
using the Zero Point Module (ZPM) procured at the Praclarush Taonas  
using the Zero Point Module (ZPM) procured at the Praclarush Taonas  
Outpost, the original Antarctic Outpost ZPM being dead. From the chair, he  
Outpost, the original Antarctic Outpost ZPM being dead. From the chair, he  
was able to launch and control hundreds of drones, which destroyed Anubis  
was able to launch and control hundreds of drones, which destroyed Anubis's
and his fleet. Drained by the effort and overcome by the knowledge of the  
fleet. Drained by the effort and overcome by the knowledge of the  
Ancients, O'Neill used a cryogenic chamber to put himself into a suspended  
Ancients, O'Neill used a stasis chamber to put himself into a suspended  
sleep.
sleep.


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|valign="top"|[[Image:antarctic-outpost-research.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Research at the Outpost]]
|valign="top"|[[Image:antarctic-outpost-research.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Research at the Outpost]]
|}
|}
Over the course of the next few months, O'Neill remained "frozen" at the  
Over the course of the next few months, O'Neill remained "frozen" in the stasis chamber at the  
Outpost. Although a presence was set up immediately, full control of the  
Outpost. Although a presence was set up immediately, full control of the  
Outpost could not be negotiated for several months. Dr. Elizabeth Weir, on  
Outpost could not be negotiated for several months. Dr. Elizabeth Weir, on  
Line 72: Line 71:
resources to protect Earth from further invasion. (8.02 "New Order Part 2", ''Stargate Atlantis'': 1.01 "Rising Part 1")
resources to protect Earth from further invasion. (8.02 "New Order Part 2", ''Stargate Atlantis'': 1.01 "Rising Part 1")


The Antarctic Outpost is overseen by the Department of Homeworld Security, lead by  
The Antarctic Outpost is overseen by the Department of Homeworld Security, originally led by the late Lt. Gen. George Hammand and currently by the twice-promoted
Lt. Gen. George Hammond, and was initially staffed by an international team of scientists  
Maj. Gen. Jack O'Neill, and was initially staffed by an international team of scientists  
and technicians. A small number of U.S. Air Force personnel also accompanied the  
and technicians. A small number of U.S. Air Force personnel also accompanied the  
expedition.
expedition.


A dome was erected over the Outpost. Several buildings, used for storage occupy the ground level.  A cargo elevator was installed in the shaft created by the souped up Rings used to access the site initially.  
A dome was erected over the Outpost. Several buildings, used for storage occupy the ground level.  A cargo elevator was installed in the shaft created by the enhanced Rings used to access the site initially.  
Several hundred feet below, the Outpost, now powered by a naquadah generator, has
Several hundred feet below, the Outpost, powered by a naquadah generator, was divided into laboratories. The main areas of research were translating  
been divided into laboratories. The main areas of research are translating  
the Ancient text, led by Dr. Jackson; interfacing with the Ancient  
the Ancient text, led by Dr. Jackson; interfacing with the Ancient  
technology led by Dr. Rodney McKay; weapons systems led by Dr. Peter  
technology, led by Dr. Rodney McKay; weapons systems, led by the late Dr. Peter  
Grodin; and undisclosed genetic research led by Dr. Carson Beckett. The Air  
Grodin; and undisclosed genetic research led by Dr. Carson Beckett. The Air  
Force has a military contingent, including pilots.
Force has a military contingent, including pilots.
Line 91: Line 89:
|valign="top"|[[Image:sheppard-chair.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Maj. Sheppard in chair]]
|valign="top"|[[Image:sheppard-chair.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Maj. Sheppard in chair]]
|}
|}
Dr. Beckett confirmed that to activate the chair, the user required a
Dr. Beckett confirmed that to activate the chair, the user required the
"Ancient's" gene, which he happens to have. "They think the gene was used  
Ancient Gene, which he happens to have. "They think the gene was used  
as a sort of genetic key if you will. So that only their kind could operate  
as a sort of genetic key if you will. So that only their kind could operate  
certain dangerous and powerful technologies." There are a "handful" of  
certain dangerous and powerful technologies." There are a "handful" of  
people with this gene, but Colonel O'Neill, Major John Sheppard, and Dr.  
people with this gene, but O'Neill, Lt. Col. John Sheppard, and Dr.  
Carson Beckett are the only subjects known to activate it with varying  
Carson Beckett are the only subjects known to activate it with varying  
degrees of success.
degrees of success. Each of these men are on a list that ranks them on their Chair Interface Aptitude (CIA). In Atlantis, Sheppard is ranked #1, and Beckett, #2. (''Stargate Atlantis'': 1.01 "Rising Part 1", 5.20 "Enemy at the Gate")


Dr. Beckett was able to "power" the chair up once, and then accidentally  
On his first use of the chari, Dr. Beckett accidentally  
activated one of the defense drones. With considerable concentration, he was  
activated one of the defense drones (''Stargate Atlantis'': 1.01 "Rising Part 1"). With considerable concentration, he was  
barely able to stop the machine from destroying General O'Neill's  
barely able to stop the machine from destroying O'Neill's  
helicopter.
helicopter.


Major John Sheppard, on the other hand, turned out to have a strong  
Lt. Col. John Sheppard, on the other hand, turned out to have a strong  
affinity for the machine and was able to activate the chair easily and  
affinity for the machine and was able to activate the chair easily and  
produced a three-dimensional map of the solar system with only a thought.
produced a three-dimensional map of the solar system with only a thought when he first sat in the chair (''Stargate Atlantis'': 1.01 "Rising Part 1"). It was because of his natural proficiency at using the Ancient technology that Dr. Weir petitioned O'Neill to assign Sheppard to the Atlantis Expedition.


===Research Results===
A civilian named Joe Spencer, another possessor of the Ancient Gene, offered to sit in the chair anytime it was needed after he discovered the existence of the Stargate Program and of the weapons at the Outpost (8.15 "Citizen Joe"). His offer, although appreciated, was not taken.
 
===First Expedition's Research Results===
{|
{|
|valign="top"|[[Image:daniel-8th-atlantis.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Daniel discovers eight-symbol destination of "Atlantis"]]
|valign="top"|[[Image:daniel-8th-atlantis.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Daniel discovers eight-symbol destination of "Atlantis"]]
|valign="top"|[[Image:zpm-to-atlantis.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Dr. McKay's portable ZPM adaptor powers SGC stargate to Pegasus Galaxy]]
|valign="top"|[[Image:zpm-to-atlantis.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Dr. McKay's portable ZPM adaptor powers SGC Stargate to connect to the Pegasus Galaxy]]
|valign="top"|[[Image:elizabeth-atlantis.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Dr. Elizabeth Weir leads Expedition Team to Pegasus]]
|valign="top"|[[Image:elizabeth-atlantis.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Dr. Elizabeth Weir leads Expedition Team to Pegasus]]
|}
|}
Dr. Daniel Jackson discovered during his tenure at the Antarctic Outpost  
Dr. Daniel Jackson discovered during his tenure at the Antarctic Outpost  
that the Outpost was all that was left of "Atlantis", which is  
that the Outpost was all that was left of Atlantis, which is  
the "Lost City" mentioned in the Ancient text discovered on Abydos. In his  
the "Lost City" mentioned in the Ancient text discovered on Abydos (6.22 "Full Circle"; ''Stargate Atlantis'': 1.01 "Rising Part 1"). In his  
translations, he discovered that for unknown reasons, the occupants "left,"
translations, he discovered that for unknown reasons, the occupants left,  
taking the city with them to the Pegasus Galaxy. Dr. Jackson was able to  
taking the city with them to the Pegasus Galaxy. Dr. Jackson was able to  
reproduce an eight-symbol 'gate address' that would open a Stargate to the new  
reproduce an eight-symbol 'gate address that would open a Stargate to the new  
Atlantis location.
Atlantis location.


Line 125: Line 125:
Pegasus Galaxy would reap more rewards than continued research at the  
Pegasus Galaxy would reap more rewards than continued research at the  
Antarctic Outpost. Dr. Weir was given the civilian lead of the project and  
Antarctic Outpost. Dr. Weir was given the civilian lead of the project and  
led 40+ men and women through the Stargate to the Pegasus Galaxy. Dr. Grodin, Dr. McKay, Dr.
led 40+ men and women through the Stargate to the Pegasus Galaxy. Grodin, McKay,
Beckett, and Maj. Sheppard accompanied her. This effort cost the ZPM the  
Beckett, and Sheppard accompanied her. This effort cost the ZPM the  
last of its power and it is now expended. (''Stargate Atlantis'': 1.01 "Rising Part 1")
last of its power and the defense weapons basically became useless until another ZPM could be found. (''Stargate Atlantis'': 1.01 "Rising Part 1")
 
===Additional References===
 
It appeared that the majority of the scientists who were familiar with the Outpost's Ancient technology, including two of the only three people known to successfully activate the chair, were sent to the Pegasus Galaxy along with the Atlantis Expedition. Not long after his arrival in Atlantis, Dr. Carson Beckett developed a gene therapy to enable those who weren't born with the Ancient Gene (also known as the Ancient Technology Activation Gene) to interface with the encoded technology, but that therapy isn't always successful. Even so, anyone who has been born with the "ATA" gene or was successfully treated with the gene therapy is able to operate the defenses when necessary. (''Stargate Atlantis'': 1.01 "Rising Part 1", 1.03 "Hide And Seek")
 
The Expedition was able to provide the Outpost with a functioning ZPM obtained in Pegasus so that the Outpost could remain a viable defense for Earth. Unfortunately, about five years after the Outpost's discovery, the international community aware of its existence decided that the chair was in violation of the Antarctic non-proliferation treaty. After lengthy negotiations, it was decided to move the defense weapons platform to Area 51 (Nevada, USA). When a powerful Wraith hive attacked Earth, the chair was destroyed before it could be operated by Sheppard, who had been ordered by O'Neill to return to Earth through the Stargate so that he could man the chair. (''Stargate Atlantis'': 3.12 "Echoes", 5.20 "Enemy at the Gate")


===Current Status===
The Outpost was mostly used for defense and for the stasis chamber. There has been no mention as to what other knowledge or technology has been utilized from there. The following are references to the Antartic Outpost throughout the five years it operated as Earth's primary defense location:


The current status of the Antarctic Outpost is unclear, but with the  
* The Goa'uld System Lords were very interested in the defense system after it was used to destroy Anubis's fleet when he attacked Earth. (8.01 "New Order Part 1")
majority of the scientists familiar with Ancient technology, including two of  
* A boobytrapped ZPM was given to the SGC by the former System Lord Camulus. If it had been used, it would have exploded and taken out the solar system. (8.04 "Zero Hour")
the only three people known to successfully activate the chair sent to  
* Satellites owned by billionare Alec Colson recorded the Antarctic Battle, including the use of the Antarctic defenses. He wished to use this footage to blackmail the world governments into admitting the existence of alien life. (8.08 "Covenant")
Atlantis, it appears to either have been abandoned or on minimum occupancy.  
* The Goa'uld who took over several hosts in the seedy organization known as The Trust used their access to defense contractors and government officials to attempt to provoke a war between the world's superpowers so that they could gain access to the Outpost and its weapons. (8.14 "Full Alert")
Certainly without a working ZPM, it is of no military value.
* Joe Spencer, a barber from Indiana, unwittingly discovered that he had the ATA gene. He learned of the Stargate Program through a psychic connection with Jack that was brought about after both men had touched Ancient Communications Stones that linked them whenever both were close to the devices. Joe enthusiastically offered his services to operate the Outpost defenses if ever it were necessary. (8.15 "Citizen Joe")
* Although a fully functioning ZPM that could have been used to power the Outpost's defenses was discovered in Egypt, the rare technology was sent to the Pegasus Galaxy because Atlantis was under immediate threat by the Wraith who wished to gain access to Earth through the only Stargate in that galaxy that could reach it, as well as to the great wealth of knowledge contained in the city's Ancient database, which included the information to enable them to build intergalactic hyperdrive technology. (8.20 "Moebius Part 2"; ''Stargate Atlantis'': 1.19 "The Siege Part 1", 1.20 "The Siege Part 2")
* Use of the stasis chamber in the Outpost was considered as a means to stop Khalek, a human-Goa'uld hybrid created by Anubis, from reaching ascension. Eventually, the decision was made to return him to his original stasis chamber on P3X-584, but he was killed when he attempted to escape. (9.09 "Prototype")
* An alternate reality double of SG-1 attempted to steal the ZPM from Atlantis and return with it to their Earth so that their Antarctic defenses could be powered against the Ori, but they were unsuccessful and were sent back to their reality empty-handed. (9.13 "Ripple Effect")
* When the Ori successfully sent four of their massive warships through an intergalactic Super Stargate ("Supergate") in the commencement of their crusade to convert humanity into their worshippers or to destroy them if they refused, IOA representative Richard Woolsey suggested taking the ZPM from Atlantis to power the Antarctic defenses, but General Hank Landry dismissed that proposal because there wasn't enough time and no guarantee that the defenses could effectively defend Earth if it were attacked. Additionally, taking Atlantis's ZPM would have left that base defenseless, since that was their only one. (9.20 "Camelot Part 2", 10.01 "Flesh and Blood Part 3")
* The Ancient Merlin was discovered in stasis on another planet, and Teal'c recognized that the stasis chamber was similar to the one in the Antarctic Outpost, indicating that the technology was of Ancient origins. (10.11 "The Quest Part 2")
* The existence of the Antarctic Outpost and its defenses was thought to be the only reason why the Ori had not attacked Earth immediately upon their arrival in the galaxy. This theory was substantiated when an alternate reality version of Earth used their Antarctic defenses successfully against one Ori warship. This use of the defenses, however, left the ZPM critically low in power such that the weapons couldn't be used again. (10.02 "Morpheus", 10.13 "The Road Not Taken")
* The Atlantis Expedition sent two ZPMs to Earth: one for the Antarctic Outpost and one to strengthen the shields on the ''Odyssey''. (''Stargate Atlantis'': 3.12 "Echoes")
* After Daniel Jackson was captured by the Ori and converted into a Prior, he was not trusted, and Richard Woolsey proposed that his life be terminated. A compromise was reached to transport Daniel directly into the stasis chamber in the Outpost until his sincerity could be determined by his teammates. Daniel, using his advanced human powers, prevented the beaming technology from locking onto him and was not sent to Antarctica. (10.14 "The Shroud")
* In an alternate timeline, a time traveling SG-1 thought to use the Antarctic Outpost defenses against Ba'al's attacking fleet, but Ba'al knew the location of the Stargate in Antarctica. He destroyed the Antarctic Stargate and thus prevented SG-1's use of it to obtain a ZPM from Praclarush Taonas as they had done in their original timeline to power the Outpost's weapons. (''Stargate: Continuum'')
* In an alternate reality, the weapons platform was moved to Area 51 and it was this location that a Wraith who had survived his hive's attack on Earth transmitted to Pegasus. His transmission caused a hole in the space-time continuum to be opened, permitting the information to get through to other realities instead of his own. (''Stargate Atlantis'': 5.19 "Vegas")
* The weapons platform was moved to Area 51 because it was in violation of the Antarctic non-proliferation treaty. Less than a month after its relocation, an advanced Wraith hive ship received the cross-reality transmission and proceeded directly to target Area 51 to get rid of the planet's primary defenses. Unfortunately, the chair was destroyed by the kamikaze attack of several Wraith darts. This attack ended the Outpost's role as Earth's primary defense platform. (''Stargate Atlantis'': 5.20 "Enemy at the Gate")


==Episodes==
==Episodes==
 
===Stargate SG-1===
* [[1.18 "Solitudes" Episode Guide|1.18 "Solitudes"]]
* [[1.18 "Solitudes" Episode Guide|1.18 "Solitudes"]]
* [[6.04 "Frozen" Episode Guide|6.04 "Frozen"]]
* [[6.04 "Frozen" Episode Guide|6.04 "Frozen"]]
Line 145: Line 162:
* [[8.01 "New Order Part 1" Episode Guide|8.01 "New Order Part 1"]]
* [[8.01 "New Order Part 1" Episode Guide|8.01 "New Order Part 1"]]
* [[8.02 "New Order Part 2" Episode Guide|8.02 "New Order Part 2"]]
* [[8.02 "New Order Part 2" Episode Guide|8.02 "New Order Part 2"]]
* [[Stargate Atlantis: Season One#1.01 "Rising Part 1"|Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1"]]
* [[8.04 "Zero Hour" Episode Guide|8.04 "Zero Hour"]]
* [[8.08 "Covenant" Episode Guide|8.08 "Covenant"]]
* [[8.14 "Full Alert" Episode Guide|8.14 "Full Alert"]]
* [[8.15 "Citizen Joe" Episode Guide|8.15 "Citizen Joe"]]
* [[8.20 "Moebius Part 2" Episode Guide|8.20 "Moebius Part 2"]]
* [[9.09 "Prototype" Episode Guide|9.09 "Prototype"]]
* [[9.13 "Ripple Effect" Episode Guide|9.13 "Ripple Effect"]]
* [[9.20 "Camelot Part 2" Episode Guide|9.20 "Camelot Part 2"]]
* [[10.01 "Flesh And Blood Part 3" Episode Guide|10.01 "Flesh And Blood Part 3"]]
* [[10.02 "Morpheus" Episode Guide|10.02 "Morpheus"]]
* [[10.11 "The Quest Part 2" Episode Guide|10.11 "The Quest Part 2"]]
* [[10.13 "The Road Not Taken" Episode Guide|10.13 "The Road Not Taken"]]
* [[10.14 "The Shroud" Episode Guide|10.14 "The Shroud"]]
* [[Stargate: Continuum]]
 
===Stargate Atlantis===
* [[SGA 1.01 "Rising Part 1" Episode Guide|SGA 1.01 "Rising Part 1"]]
* [[SGA 1.03 "Hide And Seek" Episode Guide|SGA 1.03 "Hide And Seek"]]
* [[SGA 1.19 "The Siege Part 1" Episode Guide|SGA 1.19 "The Siege Part 1"]]
* [[SGA 1.20 "The Siege Part 2" Episode Guide|SGA 1.20 "The Siege Part 2"]]
* [[SGA 3.12 "Echoes" Episode Guide|SGA 3.12 "Echoes"]]
* [[SGA 5.19 "Vegas" Episode Guide|SGA 5.19 "Vegas"]]
* [[SGA 5.20 "Enemy At The Gate" Episode Guide|SGA 5.20 "Enemy At The Gate"]]


==Related Characters==
==Related Characters==


* [[Jack O'Neill|Col./Gen. Jack O'Neill]]
* [[Jack O'Neill|Col./Lt. Gen. Jack O'Neill]]
* [[Daniel Jackson|Dr. Daniel Jackson]]
* [[Daniel Jackson|Dr. Daniel Jackson]]
* [[Samantha Carter|Maj./Col. Samantha Carter]]
* [[Teal'c]]
* [[Teal'c]]
* [[George Hammond|Gen. George Hammond]]
* [[George Hammond|Gen. George Hammond]]
* [[Hank Landry|Gen. Hank Landry]]
* [[Anubis]]
* [[Anubis]]
* [[Ayiana]]  
* [[Ayiana]]  
* [[Camulus]]
* [[Carson Beckett|Dr. Carson Beckett]]
* [[Carson Beckett|Dr. Carson Beckett]]
* [[Alec Colson]]
* [[Peter Grodin|Dr. Peter Grodin]]
* [[Peter Grodin|Dr. Peter Grodin]]
* [[Henry Hayes|President Henry Hayes]]
* [[Henry Hayes|President Henry Hayes]]
* [[Khalek]]
* [[Rodney McKay|Dr. Rodney McKay]]
* [[Rodney McKay|Dr. Rodney McKay]]
* [[John Sheppard|Maj. John Sheppard]]
* [[Merlin]]
* [[Joe Spencer]]
* [[John Sheppard|Maj./Lt. Col. John Sheppard]]
* [[Elizabeth Weir|Dr. Elizabeth Weir]]
* [[Elizabeth Weir|Dr. Elizabeth Weir]]
* [[Richard Woolsey]]


==Related Articles==
==Related Articles==


* [[Alternate Realities]]
* [[Alternate Timelines]]
* [[Ancient Communications Stones]]
* [[Ancient Database in Atlantis]]
* [[Ancient Gene]]
* [[Ancient Outpost Defense Weapons]]
* [[Ancient Stasis Chamber]]
* [[Ancients]]
* [[Ancients]]
* [[Antarctic Research Station]]
* [[Antarctic Stargate]]
* [[Antarctic Stargate]]
* [[Area 51]]
* [[Asgard]]
* [[Asgard]]
* [[Lost City of the Ancients|Atlantis: Lost City of the Ancients]]
* [[Atlantis]]
* [[Stasis Technology]]
* [[:Category:Stargate Atlantis Team|Atlantis Expedition]]
* [[Goa'uld]]
* [[Homeworld Security]]
* [[Homeworld Security]]
* [[International Oversight Advisory (IOA)]]
* [[Odyssey]]
* [[Ori]]
* [[Ori Warship]]s
* [[P3X-584]]
* [[Praclarush Taonas]]
* [[Praclarush Taonas]]
* [[Priors of the Ori]]
* [[Ring Transporter]]
* [[Ring Transporter]]
* [[SG-1]]
* [[Stargate Command (SGC)]]
* [[Stargate Command (SGC)]]
* [[Super Stargate]]
* [[System Lord]]s
* [[The Trust]]
* [[Wraith]]
* [[Zero Point Module (ZPM)]]
* [[Zero Point Module (ZPM)]]
==Related Links==
* [http://www.scifi.com/atlantis/about/ SciFi.com: President Hayes' Letter]


==Further Reading==
==Further Reading==
Line 186: Line 248:


----
----
--[[User:Torvac|Torvac]] 08:09, 19 Jan 2005 (PST)
--[[User:Torvac|Torvac]] 08:09, 19 Jan 2005 (PST)<br>
--[[User:DeeKayP|DeeKayP]] 08:08, 31 December 2007 (PST)

Latest revision as of 19:55, 3 May 2009

Antarctic Outpost

Summary

The Antarctic Outpost is a defense facility left behind by the Ancients when they took their city-ship "Atlantis" to the Pegasus Galaxy. It was the site of powerful weapons that led to the destruction of Anubis' attacking fleet, but after being moved to Area 51, were destroyed by a Wraith attack on Earth. (7.22 "Lost City Part 2"; Stargate Atlantis: 5.20 "Enemy at the Gate")

Stargate References

Location and Purpose

Original Location of Antarctic Stargate
Command Chair
Jack in Cryogenic Chamber

The Antarctic Outpost was discovered by SG-1 while Col. O'Neill possessed the knowledge of the Ancients (7.21 "Lost City Part 1", 7.22 "Lost City Part 2"). As its name implies, it is located in the Antarctic. Although its exact location is not known, it is accessible by helicopter from McMurdo Station. It would be assumed to be in the same proximity as the SGC's research station at the original location of the Antarctic Stargate, which is only 50 miles out of McMurdo Station and the location of the only known Ancient, Ayiana (1.18 "Solitudes", 6.04 "Frozen").

Originally near the location of the city of Atlantis, which was in the Pegasus Galaxy at the time of the Outpost's discovery, the Antarctic Outpost appeared to be primarily a defense outpost.

The most prominent features of the Outpost were the chair and a stasis chamber. The chair occupied a central circular chamber with the stasis chamber off to the side. The Outpost also has a set of Rings.

First Use of the Defense Weapons

Jack installs new ZPM
Drones released from Outpost
Anubis' fleet is destroyed by drones

Colonel O'Neill first activated the Antarctic Outpost's defenses during the battle with Anubis (7.22 "Lost City Part 2"). First, he powered the Outpost using the Zero Point Module (ZPM) procured at the Praclarush Taonas Outpost, the original Antarctic Outpost ZPM being dead. From the chair, he was able to launch and control hundreds of drones, which destroyed Anubis's fleet. Drained by the effort and overcome by the knowledge of the Ancients, O'Neill used a stasis chamber to put himself into a suspended sleep.

Initial Manning of the Outpost

Access to the Outpost, buried in a mile of ice
Cargo Elevator
Research at the Outpost

Over the course of the next few months, O'Neill remained "frozen" in the stasis chamber at the Outpost. Although a presence was set up immediately, full control of the Outpost could not be negotiated for several months. Dr. Elizabeth Weir, on behalf of the SGC, had difficulty negotiating the military occupation of the Antarctic Outpost (8.01 "New Order Part 1"). According to the International Antarctic Treaty established in 1961, "The primary purpose of the Antarctic Treaty is to ensure in the interests of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord. To this end it prohibits military activity, except in support of science; prohibits nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste; promotes scientific research and the exchange of data; and holds all territorial claims in abeyance."

It wasn't until Col. O'Neill was revived and subsequently cured by the Asgard that a scientific expedition was sent, led by Dr. Elizabeth Weir. Dr. Daniel Jackson, the premiere authority on the Ancient culture and language, accompanied the expedition in hopes of unraveling the secrets of the Outpost and discovering how to use its resources to protect Earth from further invasion. (8.02 "New Order Part 2", Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1")

The Antarctic Outpost is overseen by the Department of Homeworld Security, originally led by the late Lt. Gen. George Hammand and currently by the twice-promoted Maj. Gen. Jack O'Neill, and was initially staffed by an international team of scientists and technicians. A small number of U.S. Air Force personnel also accompanied the expedition.

A dome was erected over the Outpost. Several buildings, used for storage occupy the ground level. A cargo elevator was installed in the shaft created by the enhanced Rings used to access the site initially. Several hundred feet below, the Outpost, powered by a naquadah generator, was divided into laboratories. The main areas of research were translating the Ancient text, led by Dr. Jackson; interfacing with the Ancient technology, led by Dr. Rodney McKay; weapons systems, led by the late Dr. Peter Grodin; and undisclosed genetic research led by Dr. Carson Beckett. The Air Force has a military contingent, including pilots.

Command of Defenses

Jack in chair
Dr. Beckett in chair
Maj. Sheppard in chair

Dr. Beckett confirmed that to activate the chair, the user required the Ancient Gene, which he happens to have. "They think the gene was used as a sort of genetic key if you will. So that only their kind could operate certain dangerous and powerful technologies." There are a "handful" of people with this gene, but O'Neill, Lt. Col. John Sheppard, and Dr. Carson Beckett are the only subjects known to activate it with varying degrees of success. Each of these men are on a list that ranks them on their Chair Interface Aptitude (CIA). In Atlantis, Sheppard is ranked #1, and Beckett, #2. (Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1", 5.20 "Enemy at the Gate")

On his first use of the chari, Dr. Beckett accidentally activated one of the defense drones (Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1"). With considerable concentration, he was barely able to stop the machine from destroying O'Neill's helicopter.

Lt. Col. John Sheppard, on the other hand, turned out to have a strong affinity for the machine and was able to activate the chair easily and produced a three-dimensional map of the solar system with only a thought when he first sat in the chair (Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1"). It was because of his natural proficiency at using the Ancient technology that Dr. Weir petitioned O'Neill to assign Sheppard to the Atlantis Expedition.

A civilian named Joe Spencer, another possessor of the Ancient Gene, offered to sit in the chair anytime it was needed after he discovered the existence of the Stargate Program and of the weapons at the Outpost (8.15 "Citizen Joe"). His offer, although appreciated, was not taken.

First Expedition's Research Results

Daniel discovers eight-symbol destination of "Atlantis"
Dr. McKay's portable ZPM adaptor powers SGC Stargate to connect to the Pegasus Galaxy
Dr. Elizabeth Weir leads Expedition Team to Pegasus

Dr. Daniel Jackson discovered during his tenure at the Antarctic Outpost that the Outpost was all that was left of Atlantis, which is the "Lost City" mentioned in the Ancient text discovered on Abydos (6.22 "Full Circle"; Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1"). In his translations, he discovered that for unknown reasons, the occupants left, taking the city with them to the Pegasus Galaxy. Dr. Jackson was able to reproduce an eight-symbol 'gate address that would open a Stargate to the new Atlantis location.

The President of the United States, Henry Hayes, determined that an expedition to the Pegasus Galaxy would reap more rewards than continued research at the Antarctic Outpost. Dr. Weir was given the civilian lead of the project and led 40+ men and women through the Stargate to the Pegasus Galaxy. Grodin, McKay, Beckett, and Sheppard accompanied her. This effort cost the ZPM the last of its power and the defense weapons basically became useless until another ZPM could be found. (Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1")

Additional References

It appeared that the majority of the scientists who were familiar with the Outpost's Ancient technology, including two of the only three people known to successfully activate the chair, were sent to the Pegasus Galaxy along with the Atlantis Expedition. Not long after his arrival in Atlantis, Dr. Carson Beckett developed a gene therapy to enable those who weren't born with the Ancient Gene (also known as the Ancient Technology Activation Gene) to interface with the encoded technology, but that therapy isn't always successful. Even so, anyone who has been born with the "ATA" gene or was successfully treated with the gene therapy is able to operate the defenses when necessary. (Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1", 1.03 "Hide And Seek")

The Expedition was able to provide the Outpost with a functioning ZPM obtained in Pegasus so that the Outpost could remain a viable defense for Earth. Unfortunately, about five years after the Outpost's discovery, the international community aware of its existence decided that the chair was in violation of the Antarctic non-proliferation treaty. After lengthy negotiations, it was decided to move the defense weapons platform to Area 51 (Nevada, USA). When a powerful Wraith hive attacked Earth, the chair was destroyed before it could be operated by Sheppard, who had been ordered by O'Neill to return to Earth through the Stargate so that he could man the chair. (Stargate Atlantis: 3.12 "Echoes", 5.20 "Enemy at the Gate")

The Outpost was mostly used for defense and for the stasis chamber. There has been no mention as to what other knowledge or technology has been utilized from there. The following are references to the Antartic Outpost throughout the five years it operated as Earth's primary defense location:

  • The Goa'uld System Lords were very interested in the defense system after it was used to destroy Anubis's fleet when he attacked Earth. (8.01 "New Order Part 1")
  • A boobytrapped ZPM was given to the SGC by the former System Lord Camulus. If it had been used, it would have exploded and taken out the solar system. (8.04 "Zero Hour")
  • Satellites owned by billionare Alec Colson recorded the Antarctic Battle, including the use of the Antarctic defenses. He wished to use this footage to blackmail the world governments into admitting the existence of alien life. (8.08 "Covenant")
  • The Goa'uld who took over several hosts in the seedy organization known as The Trust used their access to defense contractors and government officials to attempt to provoke a war between the world's superpowers so that they could gain access to the Outpost and its weapons. (8.14 "Full Alert")
  • Joe Spencer, a barber from Indiana, unwittingly discovered that he had the ATA gene. He learned of the Stargate Program through a psychic connection with Jack that was brought about after both men had touched Ancient Communications Stones that linked them whenever both were close to the devices. Joe enthusiastically offered his services to operate the Outpost defenses if ever it were necessary. (8.15 "Citizen Joe")
  • Although a fully functioning ZPM that could have been used to power the Outpost's defenses was discovered in Egypt, the rare technology was sent to the Pegasus Galaxy because Atlantis was under immediate threat by the Wraith who wished to gain access to Earth through the only Stargate in that galaxy that could reach it, as well as to the great wealth of knowledge contained in the city's Ancient database, which included the information to enable them to build intergalactic hyperdrive technology. (8.20 "Moebius Part 2"; Stargate Atlantis: 1.19 "The Siege Part 1", 1.20 "The Siege Part 2")
  • Use of the stasis chamber in the Outpost was considered as a means to stop Khalek, a human-Goa'uld hybrid created by Anubis, from reaching ascension. Eventually, the decision was made to return him to his original stasis chamber on P3X-584, but he was killed when he attempted to escape. (9.09 "Prototype")
  • An alternate reality double of SG-1 attempted to steal the ZPM from Atlantis and return with it to their Earth so that their Antarctic defenses could be powered against the Ori, but they were unsuccessful and were sent back to their reality empty-handed. (9.13 "Ripple Effect")
  • When the Ori successfully sent four of their massive warships through an intergalactic Super Stargate ("Supergate") in the commencement of their crusade to convert humanity into their worshippers or to destroy them if they refused, IOA representative Richard Woolsey suggested taking the ZPM from Atlantis to power the Antarctic defenses, but General Hank Landry dismissed that proposal because there wasn't enough time and no guarantee that the defenses could effectively defend Earth if it were attacked. Additionally, taking Atlantis's ZPM would have left that base defenseless, since that was their only one. (9.20 "Camelot Part 2", 10.01 "Flesh and Blood Part 3")
  • The Ancient Merlin was discovered in stasis on another planet, and Teal'c recognized that the stasis chamber was similar to the one in the Antarctic Outpost, indicating that the technology was of Ancient origins. (10.11 "The Quest Part 2")
  • The existence of the Antarctic Outpost and its defenses was thought to be the only reason why the Ori had not attacked Earth immediately upon their arrival in the galaxy. This theory was substantiated when an alternate reality version of Earth used their Antarctic defenses successfully against one Ori warship. This use of the defenses, however, left the ZPM critically low in power such that the weapons couldn't be used again. (10.02 "Morpheus", 10.13 "The Road Not Taken")
  • The Atlantis Expedition sent two ZPMs to Earth: one for the Antarctic Outpost and one to strengthen the shields on the Odyssey. (Stargate Atlantis: 3.12 "Echoes")
  • After Daniel Jackson was captured by the Ori and converted into a Prior, he was not trusted, and Richard Woolsey proposed that his life be terminated. A compromise was reached to transport Daniel directly into the stasis chamber in the Outpost until his sincerity could be determined by his teammates. Daniel, using his advanced human powers, prevented the beaming technology from locking onto him and was not sent to Antarctica. (10.14 "The Shroud")
  • In an alternate timeline, a time traveling SG-1 thought to use the Antarctic Outpost defenses against Ba'al's attacking fleet, but Ba'al knew the location of the Stargate in Antarctica. He destroyed the Antarctic Stargate and thus prevented SG-1's use of it to obtain a ZPM from Praclarush Taonas as they had done in their original timeline to power the Outpost's weapons. (Stargate: Continuum)
  • In an alternate reality, the weapons platform was moved to Area 51 and it was this location that a Wraith who had survived his hive's attack on Earth transmitted to Pegasus. His transmission caused a hole in the space-time continuum to be opened, permitting the information to get through to other realities instead of his own. (Stargate Atlantis: 5.19 "Vegas")
  • The weapons platform was moved to Area 51 because it was in violation of the Antarctic non-proliferation treaty. Less than a month after its relocation, an advanced Wraith hive ship received the cross-reality transmission and proceeded directly to target Area 51 to get rid of the planet's primary defenses. Unfortunately, the chair was destroyed by the kamikaze attack of several Wraith darts. This attack ended the Outpost's role as Earth's primary defense platform. (Stargate Atlantis: 5.20 "Enemy at the Gate")

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--Torvac 08:09, 19 Jan 2005 (PST)
--DeeKayP 08:08, 31 December 2007 (PST)