A risk-averse approach to mission planning: nupiri muka at the Thwaites Glacier
Peter King, Konrad Ziurcher, Isak Bowden-Floyd · 2020
Deploying and AUV in areas such as near and beneath ice is a high-risk activity in which an AUV can be rendered unrecoverable. A risk-averse approach to mission planning and execution can increase the likelihood of vehicle return. This approach relies on a straightforward mission template that defines mission locations and task transitions that prioritizes vehicle recovery among mission objectives. In early 2020, this methodology was put to the test in the Thwaites Glacier region of Antarctica. The execution of this methodology proved highly valuable in conducting reliable AUV operations in a challenging and dynamic environment.Presented are the core ethos and guiding methodology of our risk-averse mission planning strategy.