Water environments deep down under ice sheets and glaciers can reveal many things about our planet´s past, because they are untouched by mankind. In order to study these environments, a research group at UppsalaUniversity is working to develop a small under-water robot that can be sent down through kilometer-long and fairly small bore holes in the ice — a technique that no one has developed previously. “We want to create a submarine that can explore in places like the lakes that are trapped in the Antarctic ice and hard-to-reach cave systems," says Greger Thornell, Director of the Ångström Space Technology Center (ÅSTC) at Uppsala University. Odd project
They turned to Mistra to finance such an “odd" project. “The Foundation´s idea support fit well with our high-risk project. There actually existed, and exists, no other similar form of support for daring ideas," says Greger Thornell. And yes, through Mistra´s idea support in 2005, he was able to start the project Deeper access, deeper understanding, which now involves six people to different extents in the group.
The first prototype for the submarine, which in its final form will be reminiscent in size and shape to a half-liter PET bottle, is being designed primarily to study the hull shape and the vessel´s forward-thrust and attitude-control systems. It may also be of interest to attempt to mount a camera and the special lighting that under-water photography requires in the nose of the vessel.
Sonar system
Development of the world´s smallest sonar system is underway simultaneously. Match-size poles will send ultrasound toward an object tens of meters away and use the echo to create pictures in total darkness. “With respect to the other instrumentation, such as sensors for measuring pressure, temperature and the water´s conductivity, as well as an electronic “tongue" that will sense which chemical compounds are in the submarine´s surroundings, we are only at the planning stage," says Thornell.
In the final submarine there will be a roll of optical fiber that is fed out as the submarine moves forward. The thread will act as the submarine´s “umbilical chord" and make it possible for it to communicate with the outside world. “Whether in a tight grotto system or under thick ice, it is difficult to communicate using radio. Even in open water radio waves are absorbed very quickly. The optical link is very important. At the same time, it leads to large and variable challenges," he says.
Many applications
There are more possible areas of application on Earth. Beyond exotic tasks such as exploring the Vostok Sea and other bodies of water that are frozen in Antarctica´s immense ice cover, there are similar but much nearer ice lakes, for example under Iceland´s glaciers. “The submarine could also be used to study the under side of sea ice and, in real time, the sequence of events when icebergs nudge against each other," explains Greger Thornell.
In addition to tasks here on Earth, there are possible assignments for under-water robots on Jupiter´s moon Europa. Researchers believe that there are lakes and seas under the ice there that have been isolated for millions of years. Deep down in the darkness there may be bacteria and other microorganisms that have never seen the light of day. Surviving there requires very special characteristics that researchers would love to study.
Kilometer-thick ice
“The technical difficulties of getting there, landing and then boring or melting your way through what is probably kilometer-thick ice, and, finally, to communicate with some form of probe in the water, are vast. But the submarine that we are working with — if it is fully realized — is definitely a leading candidate if such an assignment should become reality," says Greger Thornell.
