Autonomous Sea-Ice Thickness Survey

Abstract

We conducted an autonomous survey of sea-ice thickness using the Polar rover Yeti to tow an electromagnetic induction meter over sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. This proof-of-concept survey aimed to demonstrate improved efficiency relative to manual surveys routinely conducted to assess the safety of roads and runways constructed on the sea ice. Yeti executed the autonomous survey on 11 November 2014. This report describes the methods used, compares the measured ice-thickness profiles with manual borehole measurements, assesses the merits of autonomous surveys relative to manual ones, and describes potential future applications.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2016
Accession Number
AD1012491

Entities

People

  • James H. Lever

Organizations

  • Engineer Research and Development Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Antarctica
  • Boreholes
  • Civil Engineering
  • Cold Regions
  • Ecology
  • Efficiency
  • Electromagnetic Induction
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Ground Penetrating Radar
  • Ice
  • Measurement
  • Sea Ice

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Polar and Arctic Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design