Exploring Antarctica: What is the significance of introducing drones into Antarctic scientific research?

2024 marks the 40th anniversary of China's polar expedition. Over the past 40 years, under the leadership of the Party, my country's polar cause has grown from nothing to something, from weak to strong. Generations of polar workers have braved the extreme cold, persevered, worked hard, devoted themselves, worked rigorously and realistically, and have achieved fruitful results. Antarctica, the mysterious and remote "ice and snow continent" located at the southernmost tip of the earth, is a "temple" for scientific research. Batches of Chinese scientific expedition athletes have gone to Antarctica. What scientific mysteries do they explore in Antarctica? How do they conduct scientific exploration? What scientific research results have been achieved? What unsolved mysteries are there in Antarctica? Xinhua Interview and Shanghai Branch's "Sky and Sea" Studio have launched a series of interviews "Exploring Antarctica" focusing on Antarctic climate change, ice sheet stability, sea ice melting, astronomical development, animal conditions and other fields.

This issue features interviews with Chu Xinde and Geng Tong, members of the 40th Antarctic Scientific Expedition and researchers at the China Antarctic Mapping Research Center of Wuhan University.

The Chinese Antarctic expedition team bravely advanced into the vast and dangerous Antarctic interior. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Jiansong

In October 2023, Wuhan University sent off the members of China’s 40th Antarctic Scientific Expedition (photo provided by the interviewee).

Xinhuanet: Why do you want to introduce drones into Antarctic expeditions? What process did drones go through to reach their current level?

Chu Xinde: During China's 40th Antarctic scientific expedition, our country carried out large-scale and detailed drone aerial surveys in the Antarctic interior. Compared with traditional fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters, using drones for scientific research is usually more economical and affordable. In addition, the Antarctic region has complex terrain and harsh climate. Drones can obtain data from areas that cannot be reached by humans by carrying different sensors. This reduces the risk of scientific researchers being exposed to extreme conditions and avoids the possibility of injury or disappearance.

Since China's 24th Antarctic scientific expedition, expedition members from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Wuhan University, Beijing Normal University, Sun Yat-sen University, Tongji University, Heilongjiang Bureau of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, China Polar Research Center, National Marine Information Center, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences and other institutions have used drones to successfully complete their expedition missions.

my country's scientific and technological progress continues to inject new vitality into Antarctic exploration. The rapid development of drone technology and high-precision and refined aerial surveys has provided new solutions and more efficient working methods for Antarctic exploration. The functions of drones are constantly expanding, providing more comprehensive, flexible and accurate data support for scientific expedition personnel.

The core area of ​​Zhongshan Station photographed by China's first drone in Antarctica on January 1, 2008 Photographed by Wang Ting (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Xinhuanet: At present, in which areas of Antarctic exploration have drones been used more maturely? What proportion of operations are carried out using drones?

Chu Xinde: At present, drones have become the "standard equipment" for my country's Antarctic expeditions. The more mature fields are as follows:

Topographic Mapping: High-precision mapping and 3D modeling of the Antarctic topography.

Ice shelf and ice sheet monitoring and climate research: Drones can monitor parameters such as thickness, flow rate, and melting of ice shelves and ice sheets.

Biodiversity survey: Drones can be used to monitor the distribution and number of animals such as birds, seals, and penguins, providing important data support for biodiversity research and protection.

In addition to the scientific research tasks mentioned above, drones are also widely used in Antarctic environmental monitoring, resource surveys and marine research. For example, during the 40th Chinese Antarctic Scientific Expedition, we used drones and a variety of sensors to carry out multiple drone aerial survey flights in Zhongshan Station, Grove Mountain Area, Taishan Station and Kunlun Station. The high-resolution orthophoto model truly reflects the landforms, topography and surface coverage of the Antarctic region, providing important information support for the expedition team's on-site decision-making and operation implementation.

Grove Mountain, located in Princess Elizabeth Land in East Antarctica, is a "treasure trove of meteorites" discovered in my country. We used rotary-wing drones and compound-wing drones to conduct aerial surveys of major areas of Grove Mountain, such as Mason Peak and Mount Harding, and collected data on bare rocks, snow, and ice cracks, providing valuable information for in-depth research on the distribution of meteorites and topographic features in Grove Mountain.

During inland surveys, in order to prevent dangerous ice cracks, we also used drones to explore the ice and survey ice cracks. Based on the survey results, we timely predicted risk areas, which improved the efficiency and safety of the team's passage.

Photography of China's first drone in Antarctica in December 2007: Ai Songtao (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Xinhuanet: How do scientific researchers use drone operations to provide accurate data support for ice surface dynamic monitoring, morphological research, etc.?

Geng Tong: Using drones to conduct photographic remote sensing measurements can obtain high-resolution, high-precision orthophotos and digital surface models (DSM) or digital elevation models (DEM). On the one hand, these data can be used as a basis for planning inland ice surface survey routes, or for identifying and exploring special structures on the surface and inside of the ice sheet (ice cracks, subglacial lakes, meteorites, etc.). On the other hand, two orthophotos of the same place at different times can be used for ice flow velocity monitoring, and DEMs or DSMs of the same place at different times can be used for ice sheet elevation change research, thereby providing a basis for glacier material balance research. In addition, it can also be used as ground verification data for satellite observation data.

Chu Xinde: Researchers generally choose a safe operating point near the study area. For example, when I conducted drone aerial photogrammetry of the Dark Glacier, I chose a nearby rock outcrop as the take-off point. Before the operation, we will plan the route for the study area. Different flight altitudes, flight speeds, route overlap rates and other parameters may affect the aerial survey results. At the operation point, we fly the drone according to the previously planned route, and always pay attention to the various parameters of the drone, such as whether it performs tasks along the route and how fast it is. The data obtained by the drone includes orthophotos and elevation data. Most of the data we obtained this time has a spatial resolution of 5cm. Based on these data, accurate data support can be provided for dynamic monitoring of the ice surface and research on ice surface morphology.

Geng Tong, a member of the 40th Chinese Antarctic Scientific Expedition, conducts drone scientific research operations near Kunlun Station (photo provided by the interviewee).

Xinhuanet: Are there any shortcomings and room for improvement in drones at present? What are the challenges for further application in the future?

Chu Xinde and Geng Tong:

The current demand for drones in Antarctica mainly includes:

(1) Low temperature resistance. The temperature in the Antarctic is relatively low. The low temperature environment may cause the drone and its sensors and other precision instruments to not work properly. The adaptability and working efficiency of drone accessories in low temperature conditions should be improved.

(2) Strong wind resistance. Antarctica is often affected by extreme weather such as strong winds. For example, the average wind speed during our expedition to Grove Mountain was Level 5. This places strict requirements on the wind resistance and stability of the UAV. The stability during takeoff and landing should be improved, and the operational availability under adverse weather conditions should be improved.

(3) Solve the problem of magnetic declination. The high-latitude polar regions have a large geomagnetic inclination, which may cause the UAV to drift. Some UAVs are not usable in the Antarctic region. It is necessary to combine multiple means to improve the accuracy of flight orientation.

(4) Long flight time. The Antarctic environment will significantly reduce the battery life of lithium batteries. Long flight time is an important requirement for the application of Antarctic drones and is also the direction of future development. Efforts can be made in the areas of drone design improvement, composite material application, and energy efficiency.

Chu Xinde, a member of the 40th Chinese Antarctic Scientific Expedition, performs a drone aerial survey mission at Grove Mountain (photo provided by the interviewee).

Xinhuanet: As a polar scientific researcher, how do you view the challenges and value of your work?

Chu Xinde: Antarctic expedition is a great cause for the country, and I am honored to be able to participate in it and hone my true skills. Compared with campus life, Antarctic expedition is undoubtedly more challenging. As a young man of the new era, I have the honor to participate in China's 40th Antarctic scientific expedition. In the process of facing the low temperature of more than ten degrees below zero and the 5-6 level strong wind, I learned how to better perform drone aerial survey tasks, and also realized the difficulty and value of obtaining data, which made me cherish data resources more in my future study and work. These are valuable experiences that cannot be obtained in the "ivory tower" of the university.

Geng Tong: The difficulties and challenges encountered during the investigation are the "touchstone" of personal learning and hard work, and the "grindstone" of will and character. Working in Antarctica requires adequate preparation in advance. In harsh environments, in addition to quickly deploying equipment and instruments for operations, we must also face various emergencies. This is not only a test of professional skills but also a test of people's perseverance and endurance. As a polar person, I am determined to challenge myself, break through the limits, obtain background data on Antarctic environmental changes for the benefit of all mankind, and devote myself to the polar scientific research cause of my country.