Aerial Drones
The expedition will also use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly known as aerial drones. UAVs are manufactured to provide an eye in the sky without a human pilot onboard. The University of Canterbury in New Zealand are providing our scientists with two octocopters, four multirotor drones and one fixed wing drone.
The HD video and digital cameras will be used in the expedition to capture footage of the Weddell Sea from above for aerial surveillance and for archaeological and conservational surveying. These autonomous flying machines also carry a range of scientific instruments that will aid sea ice research. Additionally, the aerial drones and satellite remote sensing will aid the experienced ice captains in navigating the safest and easiest channel through the sea ice.