The Singo project aims to solve the problem of lack of data from polar regions. Currently used methods of measuring the mass balance of glaciers are ineffective and dangerous. Scientists have to manually measure the height of the snow cover on glaciers, which is expensive and risky.
As a result, the models forecasting the rise in ocean levels are highly inaccurate. Meanwhile, the accuracy of these models is crucial for predicting the effects of climate change and taking appropriate adaptive actions.
Singo addresses this issue by constructing a drone equipped with radar and sonar for measuring the snow cover height on glaciers. This will significantly increase the amount and accuracy of data from polar regions, which will translate into better models for forecasting the rise in ocean levels.
More information -> https://singo.simle.pl/
Every gram of weight counts in the drone. The vision of sonar miniaturization is realistic. It then becomes possible to reduce the system’s weight to a MEMS microphone, an integrated circuit, and a speaker. The data analysis needed to determine the snow height value has been developed. Acoustic methods for measuring the thickness of the snow cover have repeatedly proven their effectiveness in practice.
In the past, I have carried out a similar project of a network of meteorological microstations called ExtremeBox, which operated for 2 years, including in Antarctica. The second version of the system was tested for a whole year on Spitsbergen. It measured the height of the snow cover. Thanks to this experience, we know that the Singo project has a high chance of success.