Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems
Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems
GI
Articles | Volume 15, issue 2
Articles | Volume 15, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-15-237-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-15-237-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 15, issue 2
Research article
 | 
08 Oct 2026
Research article |  | 08 Oct 2026

Updating thermal head of RECoverable Autonomous Sonde (RECAS) for better drilling performance in Qilin Subglacial Lake exploration

Yazhou Li, Xuxin Lei, Xiaopeng Fan, Haibing Yu, Bing Li, Shilin Peng, and Yuting Ye

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Short summary
To enable the Recoverable Autonomous Sonde (RECAS) to explore Qilin Subglacial Lake in Antarctica, its original thermal head was upgraded to withstand high water pressures of up to 40 MPa. In addition, the incorporation of a water-jetting component significantly improved the penetration rate in clear, dust-laden, and debris-rich ice by 22%, 42%, and 253%, respectively. The upgraded RECAS thermal head is expected to be used to drill into Qilin Subglacial Lake in the upcoming Antarctic season.
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