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.
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.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
08 Oct 2026
Research article |
| 08 Oct 2026
| 08 Oct 2026
Updating thermal head of RECoverable Autonomous Sonde (RECAS) for better drilling performance in Qilin Subglacial Lake exploration
Yazhou Li
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Exploration and Imaging, School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
Key Laboratory of Polar Geology and Marine Mineral Resources (China University of Geosciences, Beijing), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083, China
Xuxin Lei
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Exploration and Imaging, School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
Key Laboratory of Polar Geology and Marine Mineral Resources (China University of Geosciences, Beijing), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083, China
Xiaopeng Fan
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Polar Science and Engineering, College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
Haibing Yu
College of Electronics and Information, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
Bing Li
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Exploration and Imaging, School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
Key Laboratory of Polar Geology and Marine Mineral Resources (China University of Geosciences, Beijing), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083, China
Shilin Peng
College of Electronics and Information, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
Yuting Ye
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Exploration and Imaging, School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
Key Laboratory of Polar Geology and Marine Mineral Resources (China University of Geosciences, Beijing), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083, China
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Our research introduces technology for exploring subglacial lakes while keeping them isolated from surface contamination. The RECoverable Autonomous Sonde (RECAS) can drill ice both downward and upward, allowing clean water sampling. In some cases, the sonde should drill at specific angles to follow a trajectory, maintain verticality, or bypass obstacles. This paper describes the general principles of steering the RECAS by adjusting the drill's heat distribution and the experimental results.
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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.
To enable the Recoverable Autonomous Sonde (RECAS) to explore Qilin Subglacial Lake in...
