Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2024-7
https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2024-7
25 Sep 2024
 | 25 Sep 2024
Status: a revised version of this preprint is currently under review for the journal GI.

Steering RECoverable Autonomous Sonde (RECAS) for accessing and studying subglacial lakes

Mikhail A. Sysoev, Pavel G. Talalay, Xiaopeng Fan, Nan Zhang, Da Gong, Yang Yang, Ting Wang, and Zhipeng Deng

Abstract. The study of subglacial lakes requires clean access and sampling technologies. One of the most promising alternatives is the newly developed hot-point RECoverable Autonomous Sonde (RECAS), which allows downward and upward ice drilling and subglacial water sampling while the subglacial lake remains isolated from the surface. The original sonde descends downward under the force of gravity, and the borehole trajectory cannot be controlled. However, in certain cases, the sonde would preferably be able to drill at specific angles and directions, enabling it to follow a desired trajectory (e.g., maintaining verticality within the desired range) or bypass obstacles in the ice (e.g., stones and other inclusions). The general principle for the steering RECAS is to adjust the voltage for the electric thermal head heaters, which provides an opportunity to control the heat distribution on the drill head surface, thereby altering borehole trajectory during drilling. In this paper, the general principles of steering RECAS are described, and experimental results on deviational ice drilling with a controllable electric thermal head are discussed.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Mikhail A. Sysoev, Pavel G. Talalay, Xiaopeng Fan, Nan Zhang, Da Gong, Yang Yang, Ting Wang, and Zhipeng Deng

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on gi-2024-7', Anonymous Referee #1, 02 Nov 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Mikhail Sysoev, 20 Nov 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on gi-2024-7', Anonymous Referee #2, 13 Nov 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Mikhail Sysoev, 20 Nov 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on gi-2024-7', Anonymous Referee #3, 14 Nov 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC3', Mikhail Sysoev, 10 Dec 2024
  • RC4: 'Comment on gi-2024-7', Anonymous Referee #4, 28 Nov 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC4', Mikhail Sysoev, 10 Dec 2024
Mikhail A. Sysoev, Pavel G. Talalay, Xiaopeng Fan, Nan Zhang, Da Gong, Yang Yang, Ting Wang, and Zhipeng Deng
Mikhail A. Sysoev, Pavel G. Talalay, Xiaopeng Fan, Nan Zhang, Da Gong, Yang Yang, Ting Wang, and Zhipeng Deng

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Short summary
Our research introduces a 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 RECAS by adjusting the drill's heat distribution and the results of the experiments.