University of Arizona researchers use drone radar to study buried US glaciers
Updated
Updated · BBC Discover Wildlife · May 1
University of Arizona researchers use drone radar to study buried US glaciers
8 articles · Updated · BBC Discover Wildlife · May 1
Published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, the team surveyed two debris-covered glaciers, Sourdough in Alaska and Galena Creek in Wyoming, led by Roberto Aguilar.
The drone-mounted ground-penetrating radar estimated debris thickness, ice purity and internal rocky layers, then matched excavation and drilling results, showing higher-resolution surveys than orbital instruments can provide.
Researchers say the Earth analogues resemble Martian buried ice, potentially helping future missions choose drilling sites for water and climate records, and possibly assess past habitability.
We can now find Martian ice with drones, but is the real prize the water, or the signs of ancient life frozen within?
With nuclear-powered drones set for Mars, what secrets beyond water might they uncover in the planet’s ancient ice?
Transforming Mars Missions: Drone Radar Pinpoints Accessible Buried Ice Deposits
Overview
In 2026, University of Arizona researchers used drones with ground-penetrating radar to map debris-covered glaciers on Earth, validating their accuracy through excavation. This success provides a blueprint for future Mars missions to locate accessible water ice, a vital resource for human survival and scientific study. Current orbital radars detect ice but lack the resolution to find shallow, drillable deposits. Drone radar overcomes this by offering high-resolution imaging, enabling a layered exploration strategy combining orbital data, drone scouting, and ground verification. Despite challenges like Mars' thin atmosphere and navigation difficulties, ongoing advancements aim to make drone radar a key technology for sustainable human exploration and ethical resource use on Mars.