@article{BaaderBoxbergChenetal.2023, author = {Baader, Fabian and Boxberg, Marc S. and Chen, Qian and F{\"o}rstner, Roger and Kowalski, Julia and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Field-test performance of an ice-melting probe in a terrestrial analogue environment}, series = {Icarus}, journal = {Icarus}, number = {409}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, doi = {10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115852}, pages = {Artikel 115852}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Melting probes are a proven tool for the exploration of thick ice layers and clean sampling of subglacial water on Earth. Their compact size and ease of operation also make them a key technology for the future exploration of icy moons in our Solar System, most prominently Europa and Enceladus. For both mission planning and hardware engineering, metrics such as efficiency and expected performance in terms of achievable speed, power requirements, and necessary heating power have to be known. Theoretical studies aim at describing thermal losses on the one hand, while laboratory experiments and field tests allow an empirical investigation of the true performance on the other hand. To investigate the practical value of a performance model for the operational performance in extraterrestrial environments, we first contrast measured data from terrestrial field tests on temperate and polythermal glaciers with results from basic heat loss models and a melt trajectory model. For this purpose, we propose conventions for the determination of two different efficiencies that can be applied to both measured data and models. One definition of efficiency is related to the melting head only, while the other definition considers the melting probe as a whole. We also present methods to combine several sources of heat loss for probes with a circular cross-section, and to translate the geometry of probes with a non-circular cross-section to analyse them in the same way. The models were selected in a way that minimizes the need to make assumptions about unknown parameters of the probe or the ice environment. The results indicate that currently used models do not yet reliably reproduce the performance of a probe under realistic conditions. Melting velocities and efficiencies are constantly overestimated by 15 to 50 \% in the models, but qualitatively agree with the field test data. Hence, losses are observed, that are not yet covered and quantified by the available loss models. We find that the deviation increases with decreasing ice temperature. We suspect that this mismatch is mainly due to the too restrictive idealization of the probe model and the fact that the probe was not operated in an efficiency-optimized manner during the field tests. With respect to space mission engineering, we find that performance and efficiency models must be used with caution in unknown ice environments, as various ice parameters have a significant effect on the melting process. Some of these are difficult to estimate from afar.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BaaderReiswichBartschetal.2018, author = {Baader, Fabian and Reiswich, M. and Bartsch, M. and Keller, D. and Tiede, E. and Keck, G. and Demircian, A. and Friedrich, M. and Dachwald, Bernd and Sch{\"u}ller, K. and Lehmann, R. and Chojetzki, R. and Durand, C. and Rapp, L. and Kowalski, Julia and F{\"o}rstner, R.}, title = {VIPER - Student research on extraterrestrical ice penetration technology}, series = {Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on Space Educational Activities}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on Space Educational Activities}, pages = {1 -- 6}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Recent analysis of scientific data from Cassini and earth-based observations gave evidence for a global ocean under a surrounding solid ice shell on Saturn's moon Enceladus. Images of Enceladus' South Pole showed several fissures in the ice shell with plumes constantly exhausting frozen water particles, building up the E-Ring, one of the outer rings of Saturn. In this southern region of Enceladus, the ice shell is considered to be as thin as 2 km, about an order of magnitude thinner than on the rest of the moon. Under the ice shell, there is a global ocean consisting of liquid water. Scientists are discussing different approaches the possibilities of taking samples of water, i.e. by melting through the ice using a melting probe. FH Aachen UAS developed a prototype of maneuverable melting probe which can navigate through the ice that has already been tested successfully in a terrestrial environment. This means no atmosphere and or ambient pressure, low ice temperatures of around 100 to 150K (near the South Pole) and a very low gravity of 0,114 m/s^2 or 1100 μg. Two of these influencing measures are about to be investigated at FH Aachen UAS in 2017, low ice temperature and low ambient pressure below the triple point of water. Low gravity cannot be easily simulated inside a large experiment chamber, though. Numerical simulations of the melting process at RWTH Aachen however are showing a gravity dependence of melting behavior. Considering this aspect, VIPER provides a link between large-scale experimental simulations at FH Aachen UAS and numerical simulations at RWTH Aachen. To analyze the melting process, about 90 seconds of experiment time in reduced gravity and low ambient pressure is provided by the REXUS rocket. In this time frame, the melting speed and contact force between ice and probes are measured, as well as heating power and a two-dimensional array of ice temperatures. Additionally, visual and infrared cameras are used to observe the melting process.}, language = {en} } @misc{BaumgartnerWunderlichJaunichetal.2012, author = {Baumgartner, Thomas and Wunderlich, Florian and Jaunich, Arthur and Sato, Tomoo and Bundy, Georg and Grießmann, Nadine and Kowalski, Julia and Burghardt, Stefan and Hanebrink, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Lighting the way: Perspectives on the global lighting market}, edition = {2nd ed.}, address = {McKinsey}, pages = {58}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @techreport{BlandfordDachwaldDigeletal.2015, author = {Blandford, Daniel and Dachwald, Bernd and Digel, Ilya and Espe, Clemens and Feldmann, Marco and Francke, Gero and Hiecke, Hannah and Kowalski, Julia and Lindner, Peter and Plescher, Engelbert and Sch{\"o}ngarth, Sarah}, title = {Enceladus Explorer : Schlussbericht — Version: 1.0}, publisher = {FH Aachen}, address = {Aachen}, doi = {10.2314/GBV:86319950X}, year = {2015}, language = {de} } @article{BuehlerChristenKowalskietal.2011, author = {B{\"u}hler, Yves and Christen, Marc and Kowalski, Julia and Bartelt, Perry}, title = {Sensitivity of snow avalanche simulations to digital elevation model quality and resolution}, series = {Annals of Glaciology}, volume = {52}, journal = {Annals of Glaciology}, number = {58}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, address = {Cambridge}, isbn = {1727-5644}, pages = {72 -- 80}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Digital elevation models (DEMs), represent the three-dimensional terrain and are the basic input for numerical snow avalanche dynamics simulations. DEMs can be acquired using topographic maps or remote-sensing technologies, such as photogrammetry or lidar. Depending on the acquisition technique, different spatial resolutions and qualities are achieved. However, there is a lack of studies that investigate the sensitivity of snow avalanche simulation algorithms to the quality and resolution of DEMs. Here, we perform calculations using the numerical avalance dynamics model RAMMS, varying the quality and spatial resolution of the underlying DEMs, while holding the simulation parameters constant. We study both channelized and open-terrain avalanche tracks with variable roughness. To quantify the variance of these simulations, we use well-documented large-scale avalanche events from Davos, Switzerland (winter 2007/08), and from our large-scale avalanche test site, Valĺee de la Sionne (winter 2005/06). We find that the DEM resolution and quality is critical for modeled flow paths, run-out distances, deposits, velocities and impact pressures. Although a spatial resolution of ~25 m is sufficient for large-scale avalanche modeling, the DEM datasets must be checked carefully for anomalies and artifacts before using them for dynamics calculations.}, language = {en} } @article{CampenKowalskiLyonsetal.2019, author = {Campen, R. and Kowalski, Julia and Lyons, W.B. and Tulaczyk, S. and Dachwald, Bernd and Pettit, E. and Welch, K. A. and Mikucki, J.A.}, title = {Microbial diversity of an Antarctic subglacial community and high-resolution replicate sampling inform hydrological connectivity in a polar desert}, series = {Environmental Microbiology}, journal = {Environmental Microbiology}, number = {accepted article}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1462-2920}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.14607}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{ChristenBarteltKowalski2010, author = {Christen, Marc and Bartelt, Perry and Kowalski, Julia}, title = {Back calculation of the In den Arelen avalanche with RAMMS: Interpretation of model results}, series = {Annals of Glaciology}, volume = {51}, journal = {Annals of Glaciology}, number = {54}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, address = {Cambridge}, isbn = {1727-5644}, doi = {10.3189/172756410791386553}, pages = {161 -- 168}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Two- and three-dimensional avalanche dynamics models are being increasingly used in hazard-mitigation studies. These models can provide improved and more accurate results for hazard mapping than the simple one-dimensional models presently used in practice. However, two- and three-dimensional models generate an extensive amount of output data, making the interpretation of simulation results more difficult. To perform a simulation in three-dimensional terrain, numerical models require a digital elevation model, specification of avalanche release areas (spatial extent and volume), selection of solution methods, finding an adequate calculation resolution and, finally, the choice of friction parameters. In this paper, the importance and difficulty of correctly setting up and analysing the results of a numerical avalanche dynamics simulation is discussed. We apply the two-dimensional simulation program RAMMS to the 1968 extreme avalanche event In den Arelen. We show the effect of model input variations on simulation results and the dangers and complexities in their interpretation.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ChristenBarteltKowalskietal.2008, author = {Christen, Marc and Bartelt, Perry and Kowalski, Julia and Stoffel, Lukus}, title = {Calculation of dense snow avalanches in three-dimensional terrain with the numerical simulation programm RAMMS}, series = {Proceedings ISSW 2008 ; International Snow Science Workshop. Whistler 2008}, booktitle = {Proceedings ISSW 2008 ; International Snow Science Workshop. Whistler 2008}, pages = {709 -- 716}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Numerical models have become an essential part of snow avalanche engineering. Recent advances in understanding the rheology of flowing snow and the mechanics of entrainment and deposition have made numerical models more reliable. Coupled with field observations and historical records, they are especially helpful in understanding avalanche flow in complex terrain. However, the application of numerical models poses several new challenges to avalanche engineers. A detailed understanding of the avalanche phenomena is required to specify initial conditions (release zone dimensions and snowcover entrainment rates) as well as the friction parameters, which are no longer based on empirical back-calculations, rather terrain roughness, vegetation and snow properties. In this paper we discuss these problems by presenting the computer model RAMMS, which was specially designed by the SLF as a practical tool for avalanche engineers. RAMMS solves the depth-averaged equations governing avalanche flow with first and second-order numerical solution schemes. A tremendous effort has been invested in the implementation of advanced input and output features. Simulation results are therefore clearly and easily visualized to simplify their interpretation. More importantly, RAMMS has been applied to a series of well-documented avalanches to gauge model performance. In this paper we present the governing differential equations, highlight some of the input and output features of RAMMS and then discuss the simulation of the Gatschiefer avalanche that occurred in April 2008, near Klosters/Monbiel, Switzerland.}, language = {en} } @article{ChristenKowalskiBartelt2010, author = {Christen, Marc and Kowalski, Julia and Bartelt, Perry}, title = {RAMMS: Numerical simulation of dense snow avalanches in three-dimensional terrain}, series = {Cold Regions Science and Technology}, volume = {63}, journal = {Cold Regions Science and Technology}, number = {1-2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1872-7441}, doi = {10.1016/j.coldregions.2010.04.005}, pages = {1 -- 14}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Numerical avalanche dynamics models have become an essential part of snow engineering. Coupled with field observations and historical records, they are especially helpful in understanding avalanche flow in complex terrain. However, their application poses several new challenges to avalanche engineers. A detailed understanding of the avalanche phenomena is required to construct hazard scenarios which involve the careful specification of initial conditions (release zone location and dimensions) and definition of appropriate friction parameters. The interpretation of simulation results requires an understanding of the numerical solution schemes and easy to use visualization tools. We discuss these problems by presenting the computer model RAMMS, which was specially designed by the SLF as a practical tool for avalanche engineers. RAMMS solves the depth-averaged equations governing avalanche flow with accurate second-order numerical solution schemes. The model allows the specification of multiple release zones in three-dimensional terrain. Snow cover entrainment is considered. Furthermore, two different flow rheologies can be applied: the standard Voellmy-Salm (VS) approach or a random kinetic energy (RKE) model, which accounts for the random motion and inelastic interaction between snow granules. We present the governing differential equations, highlight some of the input and output features of RAMMS and then apply the models with entrainment to simulate two well-documented avalanche events recorded at the Vall{\´e}e de la Sionne test site.}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldMikuckiTulaczyketal.2014, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Mikucki, Jill and Tulaczyk, Slawek and Digel, Ilya and Espe, Clemens and Feldmann, Marco and Francke, Gero and Kowalski, Julia and Xu, Changsheng}, title = {IceMole : A maneuverable probe for clean in situ analysis and sampling of subsurface ice and subglacial aquatic ecosystems}, series = {Annals of Glaciology}, volume = {55}, journal = {Annals of Glaciology}, number = {65}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1727-5644}, doi = {10.3189/2014AoG65A004}, pages = {14 -- 22}, year = {2014}, abstract = {There is significant interest in sampling subglacial environments for geobiological studies, but they are difficult to access. Existing ice-drilling technologies make it cumbersome to maintain microbiologically clean access for sample acquisition and environmental stewardship of potentially fragile subglacial aquatic ecosystems. The IceMole is a maneuverable subsurface ice probe for clean in situ analysis and sampling of glacial ice and subglacial materials. The design is based on the novel concept of combining melting and mechanical propulsion. It can change melting direction by differential heating of the melting head and optional side-wall heaters. The first two prototypes were successfully tested between 2010 and 2012 on glaciers in Switzerland and Iceland. They demonstrated downward, horizontal and upward melting, as well as curve driving and dirt layer penetration. A more advanced probe is currently under development as part of the Enceladus Explorer (EnEx) project. It offers systems for obstacle avoidance, target detection, and navigation in ice. For the EnEx-IceMole, we will pay particular attention to clean protocols for the sampling of subglacial materials for biogeochemical analysis. We plan to use this probe for clean access into a unique subglacial aquatic environment at Blood Falls, Antarctica, with return of a subglacial brine sample.}, language = {en} }