Building access to outer planetary oceans
Two papers were presented at this year’s IEEE OCEANS conference in Brest. The first paper presented an overview of the nanoAUV system and its interaction between the TRIPLE projects GNC, LifeDetect and nanoAUV-2. The second paper provided a more detailed overview of the nanoAUV’s propulsion system.
Both papers were published by IEEE: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11104363 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11104749
At the end of August, the first tests of the navigation sensors and the recording of data sets were carried out in the DFKI’s diving pool in Bremen.
The BlueROV 2 from the Institute of Automatic Control was used as the test vehicle, which is equipped with sensors similar to those currently being developed for the nanoAUV.
The recorded data sets will now be used for the further development of the GNC system, which will form the basis for further tests based on the findings obtained.
In July 2025, a test campaign coordinated by TRPLE-FRS 2 took place on the Jungfraufirn at the Aletsch glacier in Switzerland. A melting probe equipped with a hybrid forefield reconnaissance system was deployed. The goal was to validate sensor performance and assess the melting efficiency of the probe, which features integrated radar antennas and sonar transducer in its melting head.
This campaign was conducted in collaboration with the M3OCCA (Measuring and Modelling Mountain glaciers and ice caps in a Changing ClimAte) project, TRIPLE-IceCraft 2 project, and EvoLogics GmbH.
A report on the test activities and the test results will be published on the HFSJG website: annual activity reports
We are pleased to share that the updated TRIPLE whitepaper has been successfully completed and is now publicly accessible.
The document has been published at https://essopenarchive.org/.
The link to the document is:
DOI: 10.22541/essoar.175371779.92742499/v2
At the end of June, the TRIPLE system completed integration tests at the Alfred Wegener Institute’s (AWI) Technicum in Bremerhaven, ahead of the 2026/27 test campaign on the Ekström Shelf Ice.
The campaign verified mechanical compatibility, power supply, and communications between the IceCraft melting probe and its integrated payloads: the Launch and Recovery System (LRS) for the nanoAUV, the Science Payload IceCraft (SPI) and the Forefield Reconnaissance System (FRS). After component checks, the team confirmed power and data links across the probe; all subsystems powered up and communicated.
Tests also evaluated the climbing mechanism and underwater operation with the payload.
It was shown that the climbing mechanism is capable of lifting/lowering the melting probe with fully integrated payload.
The assembly of the melting probe was additionally used to capture, examine and plan the ground loops to ensure quick and efficient mission setup for the Neumayer III test campaign.
At the 22nd International Planetary Probe Workshop (IPPW) in Stuttgart, two contributions were presented. These contributions provided an overview of the latest development activities in TRIPLE. They outlined the objectives and planned scope of the upcoming test campaign in the Antarctic environment, scheduled for the 2026/27 season. This campaign will take place on the Ekström Ice Shelf, near the German research station Neumayer III.
Cryotwin – Digital Twin For Cryobot Performance Assessment In Realistic Ambient Ice Environments
Since April 2025, the Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering (MSE) is supporting the TRIPLE project line with (Model-based) Systems Engineering. Its core activities are the aggregation, integration and provision of technical information on the TRIPLE systems and the ECSS compliant documentation of this information. The fundamental goal is to establish a single consistent understanding of the whole system among all stakeholders. Hence, current work addresses the setup of a baselined digital system model of all TRIPLE systems allocating requirements, functions and the product tree for system-wide traceability of information.
We’re excited to announce our latest paper on the TRIPLE-FRS radar system, which Niklas Haberberger presented at the 2024 European Radar Conference (EuRAD) in Paris. It details the innovative sequential sampling impulse radar designed for forefield reconnaissance in melting probes. The paper also includes results from the 2022 field test at Langenferner Glacier in Italy.
The article is published by IEEE: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10734951
The magazin MIT Technology Review has published in article by Robin George Andrews about the exploration of icy moons. Also TRIPLE has caught some attention!
We are pleased about the article published in September 2024 about the contributions of the University of Bremen, the DFKI and the AWI to TRIPLE in the IMPACT magazine of the U Bremen Research Alliance.
https://www.bremen-research.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Einblicke/Impact_10/UBRA_Impact_Nr_10_digital.pdf
At the 21st International Planetary Probe Workshop (IPPW) in Williamsburg, a contribution was submitted to present the overall TRIPLE concept. The focus was on the IceCraft melting probe and the FRS system. Latest results from test campaigns conducted in Antarctica during the 2023/24 season and on the Jungfraufirn glacier were shared.
The presentation is available in the official IPPW archive: The TRIPLE-IceCraft Electrothermal Drill with Hybrid Forefield Reconnaissance System for Subsurface Exploration of Ocean Worlds
We are thrilled to announce that our recent article, published in the IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, has been selected by IEEE Spectrum for their prestigious „Journal Watch“ series. This series highlights some of the most compelling research across a wide range of IEEE journals, reaching a global audience of professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Our article provides an overview of the FRS (Forefield Reconnaissance System), a vital component of TRIPLE. Being featured in IEEE Spectrum’s „Journal Watch“ series is a significant recognition of our work and showcases our progress to a broader audience in the scientific community.
You can read the featured article on IEEE Spectrum’s website here. Additionally, the original paper is available for reference here.
We extend our gratitude to IEEE Spectrum for this opportunity to share our research with the world. Stay tuned for more updates on our innovative project!
Our TRIPLE-IceCraft melting probe operators have arrived at Neumayer Station III on the Ekström Ice Shelf in Antarctica to continue testing the TRIPLE-IceCraft. Our four-person team consists of Dirk Heinen, Simon Zierke and Jan Audehm from RWTH Aachen University and Fabian Schöttler from GSI GmbH, Aachen. Following a 106-hour journey via Oslo, Cape Town, and the Norwegian Troll Station, we reached Neumayer Station III. Further details about our journey can already be accessed on Instagram and Twitter. We will continue to report on our tests and station life there. A new entry for the DLR blog is also in preparation.
Contact:
Mia Giang Do, RWTH Aachen University (miagiang.do@physik.rwth-aachen.de)
Clemens Espe, GSI GmbH (espe@gsi-systems.de)
The Akustik Journal is the official journal of the German Acoustical Society – DEGA. The October 2023 edition features an article dedicated to the sonar component of TRIPLE-FRS.
„Between outer space and Antarctica: miniature robots to carry out research below the ice“
The synergy meeting of the DLR Explorer Initiatives will take place at the DLR Cologne-Porz site from November 22nd to 24th, 2023. The EnEx and VaMEx projects initiated by the German Space Agency as well as the TRIPLE and EurEx project lines will present their work. The aim is to identify and utilize synergies as well as coordinate constructive collaboration.
As part of the exhibition MARS findet Stadt for WISSENSCHAFTSJAHR 2023 – UNSER UNIVERSUM of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Dr. Christoph Waldmann (former external TRIPLE project coordinator) has held a lecture on September 12th, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the St. Stephani Cultural Church in Bremen.
„The International Planetary Probe Workshop is an annual congregation of scientists, engineers, and technologists from around the world to working in disciplines supporting planetary probes for exploration.“
https://ippw2023.org/
At the 20th International Planetary Probe Workshop (IPPW) in Marseille, a presentation was submitted to share the latest test results of the TRIPLE-IceCraft melting probe conducted in the Ekström Ice Shelf in Antarctica.
For the TRIPLE-FRS project, Niklas Haberberger gave a poster presentation to introduce the subsystems, along with the integrated FRS system showcased inside a demonstrator.
From March 26 to April 13, 2023, the final demonstration of TRIPLE-FRS took place on the Aletsch Glacier in Switzerland. During the field test, the FRS system, which included sonar, radar, and permittivity components, was integrated into a melting probe. Both the melting performance and individual system tests were conducted
At the EGU (European Geosciences Union) General Assembly in Vienna, Fabian Becker presented a poster during the combined session on Cryospheric Science and Planetary Science, specifically addressing icy moons. The focus of the presentation was on the TRIPLE-FRS System.
During the spring meeting 2023 of the DPG (German Physical Society) in Dresden, Mia Giang Do gave a presentation focusing on the TRIPLE-IceCraft melting probe and the TRIPLE-FRS system as part of an invited prize talk.
From January to March 2023, the demonstration of the TRIPLE-IceCraft melting probe took place on the Ekström Ice Shelf, near Neumayer-Station III. The field test was conducted by a team from the Physics Institute III B (RWTH Aachen University) and the GSI GmbH (Aachen).
More information to the expedition in the DLR Blog.
The OCEANS Conference 2022 Hampton Roads conference for global maritime professionals to learn, innovate and lead in the protection and utilization of the world’s largest natural resource – our Oceans.
The exploration of ocean worlds in the outer solar system has significantly expanded our set of targets in the quest to discover signs of life beyond Earth in the past decade and will continue to be in the ones to come. We invite contributions that cover a wide range of topics focusing on confirmed or potential subsurface (including surficial in the case of Titan’s lakes) ocean worlds of our solar system. The topics can include studies on the geomorphology and composition of ocean worlds, geophysics and ocean properties, as well as laboratory investigations and field work of analogue environments. Furthermore, studies that examine interactions between planetary interiors, surfaces, atmospheres, and astrobiology/habitability are welcomed.
https://www.cospar-assembly.org/admin/sessioninfo.php?session=1018
AbSciCon, the conference brings the astrobiology community together every two years to share research, collaborate, and plan for the future. Join NASA and the American Geophysical Union as we facilitate a robust gathering of scientists in Atlanta and in an online capacity 15 – 20 May 2022.
During the virtual General Assembly of the European Geoscience Union (vEGU21) that was held from April 19th to 30th, 2021, a team consisting partly of TRIPLE members, presented a talk on „Concepts to utilize planetary analogue studies for icy moon exploration missions“ (Abstract at https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-13052). The virtual format of the conference allowed us to create a video that can be watched by everyone on YouTube.
This abstract of this cals is referenced with a DOI and can be cited as follows: Boxberg, M. S., Baader, F., Boledi, L., Chen, Q., Dachwald, B., Francke, G., Kerch, J., Plesa, A.-C., Simson, A., and Kowalski, J.: Concepts to utilize planetary analogue studies for icy moon exploration missions, EGU General Assembly 2021, online, 19–30 Apr 2021, EGU21-13052, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-13052, 2021.
The German Geophysical Society (Deutsche Geophysikalische Gesellchaft, DGG) held it’s annual conference from March 1st to 5th, 2021. It was a fully virtual meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During one of the poster sessions, a team of several scientists from TRIPLE-FRS and EnEx-WISE presented on the TRIPLE concept and focused on the geophysically most relevant aspects of the project. The attendees showed quite some interest and the discussion can still continue since the conference platform will be available online until the next annual meeting.
Following the conference, the poster was published on the publication server of FID GEO:
Boxberg, Marc S.; Audehm, Jan; Becker, Fabian; Boledi, Leonardo; Burgmann, Ben; Chen, Qian; Friend, Pia; Haberberger, Niklas; Heinen, Dirk; Nghe, Chi Than; Simson, Anna; Stelzig, Michael; Kowalski, Julia, 2021: TRIPLE – Ice Data Hub, Model-based Mission Support and Forefield Reconnaissance System. DOI 10.23689/fidgeo-3968.