It will orbit a science platform situated in the mid-ocean adding to the ocean measurements it is taking. Scientists hope that Autosub will be able to answer important questions about global warming that only the oceans can provide. Observations show that recent changes in the extent of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice has been dramatic. Changes in the area of ice shelves are easy to measure from satellites but measuring the thickness of sea ice is another matter. Travelling under sea ice is too dangerous for manned submarines carrying scientists, so it would be a mission only Autosub could perform.
Scientists know almost nothing about ocean circulation under the ice shelf.
For example, the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf floating just off Antarctica has an area of 500,000 square kilometres but has been penetrated by only a small number of boreholes. Later this year, Autosub will begin a two-year project carrying out missions for British scientists. The missions under consideration will take Autosub to both poles, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.