Scientists Test Drone in Antarctica to Predict Impact of Climate Change

A team of scientists and engineers have arrived in Antarctica to conduct experiments with a new drone that will aid in understanding the impacts of climate change. The autonomous plane will be used to map areas of the continent that have previously been inaccessible to researchers. By surveying mountains under an ice sheet, scientists hope to gather data on how quickly the ice could melt and contribute to global sea-level rise. One of the biggest challenges in Antarctica is the extreme weather conditions, with strong winds, freezing temperatures, and sudden storms being common. These conditions, along with the darkness of the winter months and the logistical difficulties of transporting pilots and large amounts of fuel, have made it challenging to conduct research using traditional crewed planes. To address these limitations, the British Antarctic Survey collaborated with UK company Windracers to develop a new drone that is capable of withstanding the harsh conditions. The drone was tested in North Wales, which served as a stand-in for the Antarctic weather conditions. During a practice run in strong winds and rain, engineer Rebecca Toomey explained that the drone can safely reach remote areas without endangering pilots. It has a cargo capacity of 100kg and can fly up to 1,000km. The drone is equipped with instruments such as radar and cameras that are mounted on its wings and back. Its flight route is pre-programmed, and an engineer monitors the flight from a computer. Rebecca will operate the drone from the Rothera base in Antarctica, but there are plans to eventually fly it from the UK. In addition to its durability and remote capabilities, the drone also has a significantly lower fuel consumption compared to traditional planes, reducing the environmental impact of scientific research. The data collected by the drone will be processed at the British Antarctic Survey headquarters in Cambridge. Some of this data will contribute to the development of a model called BEDMAP2, which provides a detailed map of Antarctica’s land beneath the ice. Currently, large portions of Antarctica remain unmapped. Understanding the topography of the ice-covered continent is crucial in predicting the speed at which the ice will melt. Exposed ice sheets facing warmer waters are likely to melt more rapidly, but complex mountain structures can slow down the melting process. In the initial experiment, the drone’s radar will emit radio waves towards an ice sheet called Fuchs Piedmont. By analyzing the reflections of these waves, scientists will be able to create a detailed picture of the land beneath the ice. This information will help improve models for global sea-level rise and enable more accurate predictions. The first flights of the drone are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks and will include surveys of marine life and environmentally sensitive areas in addition to the mapping experiments.