Robot plane to map Antarctica’s mysteries

Scientists and engineers have touched down in Antarctica to test a drone that will aid in the prediction of climate change effects by experts. Areas of the continent that have been off-limits to scholars will be mapped by the autonomous aircraft.

It can travel 1,000 kilometres with 100 kg of cargo. The drone is equipped with sensors on its wings and in its back, such as radar and cameras. An engineer uses a computer to monitor the flight as its course is preprogrammed.

The British Antarctic Survey’s Cambridge headquarters will process the data it gathers.

According to scientist Tom Jordan, part of it will be used to fuel the BEDMAP2 model of the continent, which depicts the intricate structure of the terrain beneath the ice.

Although Rebecca will pilot the drone out of Antarctica’s Rothera station, the British Antarctic Survey eventually wants to fly it from the United Kingdom.

Additionally, it utilises a lot less fuel than conventional aircraft—10 barrels as opposed to 200 on a single research flight—which lessens the planet’s environmental effect from scientific study.

It has been tested in severe weather conditions near the highest peaks in Wales.

In order to estimate how quickly the ice could melt and contribute to an increase in sea level worldwide, its first experiment will map the mountains beneath an ice sheet.

Scientists’ ability to learn more about Antarctica is hampered by current technological capabilities.

It is typical to have strong winds, temperatures below freezing, and unexpected storms. The use of traditional crewed aircraft is restricted by these hazardous conditions, as well as by the necessity to carry pilots and substantial amounts of fuel, as well as by the gloomy winters.

In collaboration with UK business Windracers, the British Antarctic Survey created a new drone that can be readily fixed in the event of a malfunction.

The drone was tested in North Wales’ Llanbedr, Eryri, popularly known as Snowdonia, which served as a stand-in for the harsh climate and topography of Antarctica.

The drone can fly to isolated regions without posing a risk to pilot safety, engineer Rebecca Toomey said during a practice run in severe gusts and lashing rain on the airfield.

He indicates that a lot of Antarctica is still unmapped because no one has ever been able to travel there by placing a question mark over some regions of the map.
"This survey work is really exciting because it’s a proper blank in the map."

Massive mountain ranges, some the size of the European Alps, trenches, and valleys are all covered in enormous amounts of ice in Antarctica. There are locations below sea level.

This topography is crucial for scientists to comprehend because it dictates how rapidly the ice will melt.

It is likely that an ice sheet exposed to warming oceans may melt faster. But, Tom believes, it will decrease more slowly if complicated mountains stand in its way.

The drone’s radar will shoot radio waves at the Fuchs Piedmont ice sheet in its maiden experiment. Some will fall through the ice sheet, strike the base of the ice sheet, and then resurface. In order to depict the form of the land, the drone will listen for those reflections.

"Line by line, it creates this picture. Another fantastic thing about drones, according to him, is that they may be used for extremely monotonous tasks.

Tom thinks scientists can produce more accurate projections if they have a better understanding of Antarctica’s topography. Currently, models of the worldwide sea-level increase caused by melting ice sheets contain large margins.

"That will help us plan the future," he adds.

Within the next two weeks, there will be the first flights. Surveys of marine species, such as krill, which are an essential component of the food chain, and surveys of environmentally sensitive locations are examples of further experiments.
Here and there, the mountain ridge peeks through the ice. Does that carry over across? Are any areas below sea level? "I’m not sure," he replies.

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