Federal employees reach around the globe, and the frozen wastes of Antarctica are no exception. The National Science Foundation maintains facilities where researchers from government and around the world can explore and experiment. But they can't do it alone.

The Science Foundation has just awarded a $2 billion contract to Lockheed Martin for infrastructure and technological support for the mission in Antarctica. Lockheed says it's using it's expertise in extreme environments, like space travel, to get the job done.

Rick Hieb, vice president of information systems and global solutions at Lockheed Martin and a former astronaut, spoke to The Federal Drive with Tom Temin, Tuesday morning about some how Lockheed's space travel experience is helping with its work in Antarctica.