IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - March 2023 - 76

flora, and surface microtopography of Antarctica. The issues
and future growth of UAV-based scientific research have been
discussed. Japan, Poland, and South Korea were part of the
UAV-based research in Antarctica during 2014. With the advancement
of software and hardware technologies during
the previous six years, UAVs have become a significant part of
Antarctic polar research.
The severe environment of Antarctica has imposed several
limitations on field scientific studies. Strong winds, adverse
weather, and widely scattered rifts, crevasses, and melting
ponds on the surface of ice sheets have hampered data collection.
Until 2008, related research mostly concentrated on
the design and testing of polar UAVs suited for the Antarctic
environment, with particular emphasis on improving wind
resistance and obstacle avoidance capabilities [16], [47], [48].
The British Antarctic Survey (United Kingdom) and Brunswick
University of Technology (Germany) utilized UAVs to
gather air temperature data above sea ice in the Weddell Sea,
to be used for future studies on the relationship between sea
ice and global warming [51]. During 2009-2013, UAV-based
research in the Antarctic was primarily focused on the study
of sea ice temperature, morphological characteristics, and
atmospheric-related parameters in the seas surrounding the
AIS, along with monitoring floating iceberg trajectories and
the evolution of moss beds near the research stations [52],
[53], [54], [55], [56]. Since 2014, UAVs have been used to
investigate the microtopography, fauna, and flora on the surface
of the AIS [15], [26], [36] (Figure 2).
The studies were focused on the design and testing of Antarctic
UAVs as well as observations of glacier microtopography,
flora and fauna, atmosphere, sea ice, magnetism, and the
subglacial environment. Relevant research has been conducted
in the East AIS (EAIS), West AIS (WAIS), Antarctic Peninsula
(AP), Weddell Sea, and Southern Ocean by the Antarctic
scientific research expeditions of various countries. The study
sites were adjacent to scientific research stations, allowing
quick logistical assistance. The EAIS and AP were the major
study sites for UAV-based glacier microtopography studies,
with the Larsemman Hills-Dålk Glacier and King George Island
being the main study areas. Approximately 87% of flora
studies were focused in the EAIS, while ~83% of fauna studies
were concentrated in the AP (Figure 3).
2021
2018
2019
2020
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2011
2008
2009
2010
2007
05 10
Frequency
15
Glacial Microtopography
Flora
Fauna
Atmosphere
Sea Ice
Magnetism
Subglacial Environment
UAV Design and Experiment
FIGURE 2. The temporal distribution of the main topics covered
in recently published studies in the field of UAV-based Antarctic
research. The journal articles, conference proceedings, and university
degree theses used here have been made available online since 2007.
76
20
25
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE APPLICATIONS IN
ANTARCTIC RESEARCH
The primary purpose of UAVs in Antarctic research is divided
into three categories (Figure 4):
1) Development and testing of UAVs for use in polar environments:
Antarctica is the world's windiest and coldest area. The
uniqueness of the environment is a significant obstacle
to the implementation of UAV missions. Ensuring the endurance,
wind resistance, and aerial photography stability
of UAVs in the adverse Antarctic environment as well as
reducing the interference of the surrounding environment
and making the drones more adaptable for polar research
have become the main concern in UAV-based studies. The
M2AV was designed, tested, and confirmed to guarantee
its efficiency in measuring meteorological parameters
in turbulent and windy conditions [46]. The large pressure
gradient, flat and open landscape, single underlying
surface, and strong winds in Antarctica influence UAV
operation. An optimum fuzzy logic control method for
real-time modification of the heading angle is employed
in UAVs to increase their adaptability to wind disturbances
[48]. The method combines an adaptive Kalman filter algorithm
with GPS, gyro, and accelerator sensor information
to obtain accurate attitude information of UAVs during
flight. Small UAVs based on this algorithm resist wind
disturbances and have been successfully used in scientific
missions, such as sea ice temperature exploration and lowaltitude
aerial photography near the Zhongshan Station
in Antarctica [48]. During stronger winds, vertical gusts,
and strong turbulence, UAV takeoff and operating systems
should be simplified to ensure that a vehicle's size is
moderate and will not interfere with transportation. This
method further ensures that UAVs can carry the necessary
photogrammetric equipment and overcome the effects
of strong winds to successfully complete flight missions
[57], [58]. The severe and complicated cold environment
in Antarctica requires additional improvements on UAV
takeoff and landing, which has led to the evolution of numerous
innovative UAV systems [47], [59], [60]. Examples
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IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - March 2023

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