Abstract EANA2025-193

Currently, the primary tools for scientific research in englacial and subglacial environments include ice core drills for deep ice, auger drills for shallow or firn ice, and hot water drills for accessing subglacial water reservoirs. Their main advantage lies in relatively high drilling speeds. However, recent advancements in thermal–electric drilling technology have reached a level where their operational and scientific benefits can outweigh the slower drilling rate [1][2].

The thermal–electric drill IceMole was initially developed as a student project and later advanced under the DLR Enceladus Explorer Initiative. This led to the creation of a steerable drill that was successfully deployed to sample subglacial brine at Blood Falls, located at Taylor Glacier in Antarctica’s McMurdo Dry Valleys. The mission demonstrated that thermal–electric drills can access sensitive subglacial environments without compromising sample integrity [4].

Building on this, various thermal–electric drills have since been developed for specific scientific objectives, such as multi-year temperature logging on alpine glaciers or autonomous sensor deployment. Current developments aim to minimize the drill’s operational footprint and maximize autonomy, thus reducing the need for complex infrastructure or constant operator presence—advantages particularly relevant in remote or environmentally sensitive regions.

The TRIPLE-IceCraft, developed under the DLR-led TRIPLE (Technologies for Rapid Ice Penetration and Subglacial Lake Exploration) initiative, is a compact, modular thermal–electric drilling system designed for clean access to subglacial lakes and englacial environments. Unlike hot water drills, which require extensive logistical support and water heating infrastructure, the TRIPLE-IceCraft offers significantly lower mass, reduced power consumption, and high modularity. This enables rapid deployment even in logistically constrained Arctic and Antarctic missions [3].

Beyond Earth, these advancements are also relevant for future planetary exploration. Icy bodies such as Mars’ polar caps, Jupiter’s moon Europa, or Saturn’s Enceladus are key targets in the search for extraterrestrial life. Many of these “Ice Worlds” are believed to host subsurface liquid reservoirs beneath thick ice crusts. Thermal–electric drills—owing to their compact design, autonomous operation, and capability to penetrate ice under extreme environmental conditions—offer a promising technology platform for future robotic exploration missions. The transfer of terrestrial expertise into space-ready systems represents a critical step toward enabling subsurface access on other planetary bodies.

This contribution highlights the current status and future potential of thermal–electric drilling systems in cryospheric science and planetary exploration. With their low environmental impact, adaptability, and clean drilling capabilities, such systems represent a valuable tool not only for Earth-based research but also as enablers for accessing unexplored environments beyond our planet.

[1] Baader F., Field-test performance of an ice-melting probe in a terrestrial analogue environment, Icarus, Volume 409, 2024, 115852, ISSN 0019-1035,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115852
[2] Talalay P.G., et al, (2014) Recoverable autonomous sonde (RECAS) for environmental exploration of Antarctic subglacial lakes: general concept, Annals of Glaciology , Volume 55 , Issue 65 , 2014 , pp. 23 - 30 https://doi.org/10.3189/2014AoG65A003
[3] Heinen D, et al., (2021) The TRIPLE Melting Probe - an Electro-Thermal Drill with a Forefield Reconnaissance System to Access Subglacial Lakes and Oceans, OCEANS 2021: San Diego – Porto, San Diego, CA, USA, 2021, pp. 1-7, https://doi.org/10.23919/OCEANS44145.2021.9705999
[4] Mikucki J.A., et al. (2023) Field-Based Planetary Protection Operations for Melt Probes: Validation of Clean Access into the Blood Falls, Antarctica, Englacial Ecosystem, ASTROBIOLOGY, Volume 23, Number 11, 2023, DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0102