Objective: come up with a radio controlled working model, that can bore 500' into an ice sheet, and leave a trail of 5 transponders at intervals of 100' feet. The principle purpose is not to develop new technology, but to use extremely cheap, off the shelf parts to make a publicity boost for the Europa project. The launch and boring would be recorded on video camera to present to Natl. Geographic, Science, NASA, newspapers, government, and any other interested group, in conjunction with a strong written presentation of what would be possible with a true icepick, on Europa.
Concept: A 3-4' aluminum tube, with a radio control device cannibalized from a good quality model submarine kit. The radio receiver would have to be substantially upgraded to be able to receive a signal through several hundred feet of ice. Additionally, it might be possible to have a limited set of preprogrammed instructions hardwired into the model. The model would also come equipped with a heat source. Is a motorcycle battery(s) enough voltage to provide enough power to a heating coil? There would also have to be a rotating drill/pump on the front, to move water and ice slurry through the model, and exhaust it at the tail, where the slurry can refreeze behind the model. If the axial tunnel concept is not feasible, perhaps the ice slurry could simply stream along side flutings worked into the shell of the model. While the ice slurry is still plastic, the model should also be able to shoot a transponder into it. Five small transponders, such as those which are commonly attached to wildlife, would be fitted with a model rocket engine, just enough to shoot the transponder about 1-2' behind the model, as it progresses through the ice. The controller would therefore have only a few small controls on the radio control device. These would be start and stop buttons, perhaps a very limited means of controlling the model in XYZ coordinates (such as by putting more heat on one side of the model, or slightly adjusting the internal drill/pump angle), and a transponder launch button. It is not necessary to recover the model. In a best case scenario, it would slowly drill down through the ice, over several hours, or even a full day. The model should be set at an angle, not straight down, to demonstrate that it has sufficient forward momentum, and is not progressing merely through gravity. The transponders only have to be 'loud' enough to be reasonably locatable by someone with a radio receiver standing on top of the ice. If the model is actually created, it would be tested at the Harding Ice Sheet, a 30' wide expanse of ice in SouthCentral Alaska. The ice there is nearly a mile thick, and more than sufficient to demonstrate ice drilling capacities. One advantage of the ice sheet is that unlike glaciers in Montana or Colorado, it is a static, unmoving sheet, and does not have significant fractures in the ice to disrupt the movement of the model. It is the closest thing I know of to the surface of Europa, within the continental U.S. Questions: 1) Could a motorcycle/snowmachine or other battery be used to power a heating coil, sufficient to sink a 3' model through the ice? 2) If there is not such a battery available, would it be possible to beg one from a major automobile manufacturer? Battery technology has greatly progressed the past few years, forced by various laws promoting electric powered automobiles. It may be possible that a Japanese car company, for instance, would be happy to lend a good battery, simply to demonstrate the technology. Ideally, such a battery would not necessarily be box shaped, as a standard motorcycle battery is, but donut shaped, to allow the battery to be aligned with the axis of the model, and reduce the diameter of the model. On a 3' model, perhaps 7 such batteries could be wired together to provide sufficient voltage to put out enough heat to slowly melt a tunnel. The batteries only need to last for 500' of drilling, so a heavy power drain may be put on them. 3) Could that same battery also power an internal rotating drill/pump, so that as the ice melts, it moves through the central axis of the model, to exhaust at the tail? Alternatively, could some other means be developed to shed the ice slurry at the nose of the model, to enable it to continue forward progress? 4) Would it be possible to control such a model through several hundred feet of ice, along XYZ coordinates? 5) Would it be possible to have a small onboard auto-control device, so that a limited set of preprogrammed instructions could be included with the model, in the event that the link was cut? 6) Would a tracking transponder (such as those attached to the ears of wildlife) be powerful enough to transmit a signal through ice? 7) What would be the final costs of such a working model? My projections include: a) costs of spare parts, and modifications to them: probably about $1000. b) costs of transponders, about $250 each. c) costs of a battery(s): about $50 each, if a motorcycle battery is used, or more if a particular battery must be employed. d) costs of a rotating internal drill/pump, fitted inside the model: perhaps $1000, especially if an oil company is recruited to provide technical assistance. e) peripheral costs: probably $1000. f) costs of airfare to the Harding Ice Sheet, about $500 per person. Now, before everyone starts telling me what a fool I am to come up with such a model concept, I challenge you: if you don't like my idea, come up with something better -- for a working model, that can drill down through 500' of ice, and leave a trail of 5 transponders behind it. -- John Harlow Byrne == You are subscribed to the Europa Icepick mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Project information and list (un)subscribe info: http://klx.com/europa/
