Photo credit: www.nasa.gov
The IceNode initiative aims to deploy a fleet of autonomous robots to measure the melting rates of ice shelves.
In a harsh and remote region of the Beaufort Sea above Alaska, engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) gathered to test a cutting-edge cylindrical robot designed to operate in frigid ocean conditions. This prototype was lowered through a borehole in the thick sea ice, tethered securely to a tripod above.
This field test marked a significant milestone for the IceNode project, which seeks to deploy autonomous robots beneath the Antarctic ice shelves. These robots will assist scientists in accurately measuring how rapidly the frozen continent is losing ice, a critical factor influencing global sea level rise.
If Antarctica’s ice sheet were to melt completely, it could lead to a staggering rise in sea levels by about 200 feet (60 meters). This potential scenario highlights one of the greatest uncertainties regarding future projections of sea level rise. While melting ice at the surface is influenced by rising air temperatures, a significant amount of ice melt occurs when warmer ocean water comes into contact with the underside of the ice shelves. To enhance computer models that forecast sea level rise, researchers require precise data on melting rates, especially in the complex environments beneath ice shelves, which act as crucial barriers to the flow of ice into the ocean.
The challenge lies in accessing these vital but hard-to-reach locations. Scientists are particularly interested in the “grounding zone,” where the ice shelves, ocean, and land converge, and in exploring the unmapped cavities beneath the ice that may experience the most rapid melting. Given the dangerous and variable ice conditions above, along with the limitations of satellite observations, the IceNode project aims to bridge this knowledge gap.
“We’re focused on overcoming the technological and logistical hurdles we’ve faced in accessing these environments. Our primary objective is to collect data directly at the ice-ocean melting interface,” stated Ian Fenty, a climate scientist and lead for the IceNode project at JPL.
To meet this aim, JPL engineers are designing robots that measure approximately 8 feet (2.4 meters) in length and 10 inches (25 centimeters) in diameter, equipped with retractable landing gear to attach themselves to the underside of the ice shelf. The robots will not rely on traditional propulsion systems; instead, they will navigate autonomously using advanced software that processes ocean current data.
Once deployed through a borehole or from an ocean vessel, the robots will navigate along ocean currents to designated points beneath the ice. Upon arrival, they will release ballast to surface and secure themselves to the ice’s underside, where they will measure the movement and temperature of warm, salty water that contributes to melting, as well as the behavior of cooler meltwater.
The planned IceNode fleet has the capacity to operate for an extended period, up to one year, gathering continuous data, including variations across different seasons. After completing their missions, the robots will detach and transmit their collected data via satellite once they float back to the ocean’s surface.
Although further development and testing are required for IceNode to realize its potential, initial tests have yielded promising results. Previous deployments in environments like California’s Monterey Bay and under the ice of Lake Superior paved the way for the recent polar test conducted in March 2024. The test faced extreme conditions, with air temperatures plummeting to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45 degrees Celsius), challenging both the operators and the robotic hardware.
This test was undertaken during the U.S. Navy’s biennial Arctic Submarine Laboratory’s Ice Camp, a temporary research base that supports scientific fieldwork in the Arctic region.
During the evaluation, the prototype was successfully sent to a depth of approximately 330 feet (100 meters) in the ocean, where it gathered critical data on salinity, temperature, and water currents. Additional assessments were made to prepare the robot for future untethered operations.
“We are pleased with the advancements achieved so far. The vision is to continue refining the prototypes, return to the Arctic for further tests, and ultimately deploy the complete fleet beneath the Antarctic ice shelves,” Glick added. “The data we collect will be invaluable for scientists. Each step towards making this vision a reality is exciting.”
Funding for IceNode has come from JPL’s internal research and technology development initiatives, alongside support from its Earth Science and Technology Directorate. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory operates under NASA’s management by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California.
Source
www.nasa.gov