NASA Develops Underwater Robots to Monitor Antarctic Ice Melt

NASA engineers, in a groundbreaking effort to combat climate change, are developing underwater robots to monitor the rapid melting of ice shelves in Antarctica. Created by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, these robots aim to collect precise data on ice shelf erosion, which is critical for improving predictions of global sea level rise.

The prototype robots were tested in the Arctic at a U.S. Navy lab camp, demonstrating their ability to operate in extreme environments. These cylindrical, propulsion-less submersibles are designed to drift and anchor beneath ice shelves, recording data over a year-long period. Once their mission is complete, the robots will transmit their findings via satellite.

By targeting hard-to-reach grounding zones where ice meets ocean, this innovative project underscores the urgency of understanding how rising ocean temperatures are accelerating ice shelf deterioration. The data gathered will enhance climate models and aid in forecasting future sea level changes.