A miniature underwater vehicle/benthic lander for through-ice deployment

In astrobiology research, it is useful to study benthic microbial ecosystems found under the ice in Earth's polar regions, which give us valuable insights for detecting extant life or evidence of past life in what may have been similar settings on Mars and Europa. These environments are logistically remote, and the barrier of thick ice prevents easy access. Most benthic studies require creating large open holes to give divers access to the water, which are time consuming and laborious, and, in the case of glacier-covered lakes, make it impossible to maintain aseptic conditions. We propose to develop a miniaturized remotely operated vehicle (ROV)/benthic lander system that can pass vertically through a 25cm hole (a standard portable drill size) and is operated through a cable from the surface, thereby simplifying access and reducing hazardous human exposure. The ROV can deposit the lander for long-term in situ measurements, and return later to recover it, increasing the range, depth, and duration of these studies. This system will also be used to evaluate concepts for Europa exploration, including deployment of instrument arrays and imaging systems, and modes of aseptic operation. In Phase II, a prototype system will be constructed and tested in suitable field locations.