So, we’ve been here a few days now, and after our rifle training and sessions on how to deal with polar bears, we have permission to leave the settlement on our own – pretty crucial for carrying out our work! Two days ago, we headed out for a recce of the area. Midtre Lovénbreen is somewhere that I know well, having carried out my Ph.D. research on the very same glacier in 1998 and 1999. I also visited the glacier for shorter periods in 2000 and most recently in 2005. However, those trips are still some time ago, and so I was expecting to see big changes – I was right.
A view across Midtre Lovénbreen towards a tributary that once fed into it.
On our recce, we had several tasks to carry out: (i) to find somewhere on the tundra where we could safely launch and land during out test-flights (the tundra being softer than rock or ice!); (ii) to identify a route into the glacier, through the suite of moraines that lie in front of it; and (iii) to identify some launch sites for our genuine surveys over ice.
All these tasks were carried out successfully, of which more in due course.
Yesterday then, saw our first test-flights over the tundra. We found a great site, covered in soft, spongy vegetation…perfect for any hard-landings. It’s not too far from Ny-Ålesund, but it meant that it was a little awkward to carry, strapped to the back of my rucsac (see picture!).
Me carrying our UAV out to our test launch-site on the tundra.
We carried out two test flights – the first went perfectly in every respect. The second wasn’t quite so good, with our UAV sustaining a bit of damage on landing (the tundra is also covered in a lot of rocks!). However, a period spent in the workshop here meant we had our UAV back up and ready to fly again the following day.
That brings us to today. We woke to stunning weather, and headed out once again for out test site.
The view across the fjord from the Tundra.
We carried out three very successful test flights, with Andy doing a great job of landing our UAV with great accuracy. Here’s a short clip of one of our take-offs (nice scenery!):
So, we’re now back at base, having charged everything up, and preparing for our first proper glacier-survey tomorrow. We have some tricky decisions to make, about quite where to launch from, and how to deal with the steep changes in topography as we pass over the glacier. However, we’re looking forward to the challenge, and hoping to get some great imagery.
Mapping the Midtre Lovénbreen in 3D with Fixed Wing UAV 