Exploring Snow, Sea Ice, and Remote Education with UAV Technology
Scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Geophysical Institute are leveraging drone technology to push the boundaries of research in challenging environments. At the 2024 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, UAF researchers will present innovative projects showcasing drones’ capabilities in measuring snow and sea ice, surveying the sea floor, and educating remote communities in Alaska.
Measuring Snow and Sea Ice Depth by UAV
The Long-range Airborne Snow and Sea Ice Thickness Observing System (LASSITOS) is tackling the challenges of polar research. Led by postdoctoral fellow Achille Capelli, the project aims to improve measurements of snow cover and sea ice thickness, crucial for understanding polar changes and supporting activities like marine navigation and ice road transportation.
“Unmanned aerial vehicles can fly over ice inaccessible to surface travel, allow flexible deployment from land and marine platforms, and cause less disturbance than manned aircrafts,” Capelli explains. This innovative sensor system is set to provide accurate data while addressing the complexities of working in remote polar regions.
Capelli will present the LASSITOS project during the AGU meeting’s poster session on Monday, Dec. 9, from 1:40 to 5:30 p.m.
For more information about UAF’s polar research, visit the Geophysical Institute’s website.
Drone’s Eye View of the Sea Floor
Assistant professor Michael Roddewig is revolutionizing coastal mapping with a drone-borne maritime lidar system. Unlike traditional maritime lidars, which require costly and manned aircraft, this new technology operates on a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle managed by UAF’s Alaska Center for Unmanned Aerial System Integration.
“Alaska’s remoteness, inclement weather, and limited personnel capacity provide unique challenges to data gathering with traditional maritime lidar,” Roddewig notes. The UAV-based lidar offers a cost-effective and adaptable solution for mapping coastal bathymetry, surveying fish populations, and studying plankton.
Roddewig will share insights on this project during the AGU meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 1:40 to 5:30 p.m.
Learn more about UAF’s advances in lidar technology in the abstract, here.
Inspiring Remote Alaska Students with Drone Technology
Helena Buurman of the Alaska Satellite Facility will present the “Drones on Ice!” program, which introduces K-12 students in remote Alaska communities to drone technology. Funded by NASA, this program combines academic concepts with traditional and Indigenous knowledge, offering students hands-on learning and opportunities to address local challenges like identifying open water on frozen rivers.
“Taught as a three-day workshop in Alaska’s remote villages, the program activities tie academic concepts into traditional and Indigenous knowledge and education systems to create a relevant and impactful learning experience for students,” Buurman explains.
Communities such as Venetie, Shageluk, and Utqiaġvik have welcomed the program, which plans to expand into geospatial technologies. Buurman will share details during the AGU meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 1:40 to 5:30 p.m.
For more details on the program, see the abstract here.
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