Technology
The Technology

The Catlin Arctic Survey is not just another polar expedition. It is an international collaboration which incorporates pioneering, highly complex scientific and communications equipment that has been developed specifically for this project. This technology will enable a global audience to have access to the human and scientific story as it unfolds on the ice.

Technical Components
SPRITE

SPRITE is the project's Surface Penetrating Radar for Ice Thickness Establishment. Engineer: Michael Gorman

SPRITE comprises a robust and portable, ice-penetrating impulse radar. At just 4kg in weight it is vastly lighter than previous systems that traditionally have been attached to aircraft.
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Hands-Free Voice System

During their time on the ice, the team will be able to communicate between themselves and the UK HQ, thanks to a 3-Way Person-to-Person communications system, developed especially for the Catlin Arctic Survey.
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Central Data Unit

Direct communications from polar expeditions to back home up until now have been severely restricted, compared to communications from all other regions of the world. This is due to the extremely low data transmission rate offered by the only available network of communication satellites - the Iridium array.
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Equivital - Physiological Telemetry

Hi-tech sensors are worn around the wearer’s chest, to measure heart rate, breathing rate and volume. The Equivital Recorder/Transmitter continuously encrypts and transmits the wearer’s physiological data, which will in turn be sent to the survey vessel’s onboard processor before being transmitted back to the UK HQ.
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Seacat

The SeaCat system has been supplied by one of our Science Advisors, Professor Tim Stanton at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. It consists of an ultra light weight winch system and a high resolution Conductivity Temperature Depth sensor package (CTD) made by Sea Bird Electronics.
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Technology gallery, photos of team and scienctific equipment taken.
"Technology" Blog Posts
And they are off
Posted by Ian Wesley
A big day today and spirits were high. After a prolonged packing session the Ice Team are out on the ice for their first mini expedition together. They left with sleds packed high and bristling with antennas....more
Friday, 16th January 2009

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