Klik her for at se PDF'en - Air Greenland

He is enthusiastic as he shows us round the aircraft that resembles
something from a James Bond film. Information streams
in to the 15 antenna situated on the underside of the aircraft’s
wings and body.
– We take measurements of many things, including the new
snow. It is essential to know the amount of precipitation so we
can determine whether there is any melting and how quickly it
takes place, explains Michael Studinger.
Free DATA
However, for a journalist, there is not much breaking news to
report home here and now.
– Nevertheless, changes of just a few centimetres can be interesting.
But it is not our job to interpret the results. We acquire
data and make back-up copies when we get back to base. Then
it takes four to six months to process our data, explains Michael
Studinger.
The results of the measurements are put onto the National
Snow and Ice Data Centre website, an institution that is located
at University of Colorado in Boulder and from here scientists
from all over the world can draw data.
TOp GUn
For a layman, the technical terms that fly through the cabin
are an advanced form of gibberish. More enticing is the cockpit,
where it is possible to obtain a unique and clear view of
the mountain chains through a porthole of optical glass. Here,
there are sharp peaks, rounded ridges, formations of folded
rock and areas that bring the pyramids of Egypt to mind. One
dome-shaped mountain after another appears.
The American pilots are also fascinated by the sight. A camera
is taken out and the captain snaps plenty of pictures.
Our stomachs lurch when the 35-metre long aircraft swoops between
the mountains and carries out a form of gorge flying.
Suluk #04 Air Greenland Inflight Magazine 2012
kAl NASAp timmisartua teknikkikkut
atortunik ulikkaavippoq,
allaanngillallu agent
007-imik filmiliameersut.
Ilisimatuut akunnerpassuarni
qarasaasiatik atiminni
samanngarsuarmit uuttortaanermi
paasissutissanik
pilersuiuartut sammivaat.
Dk NASAs fly er proppet med
teknisk udstyr og ligner indeni
noget fra en agent 007film.
Time efter time sidder
forskerne bøjet over deres
computere, hvor måleresultater
konstant tikker ind fra det
gådefulde dyb under dem.
GB NASA’s aircraft is packed
with technical equipment and
resembles something from a
007 film. Hour after hour, the
scientists sit bent over their
computers where the results
tick in from the mysterious
depths beneath them.
For Suluk’s correspondent, it is impossible to determine whether
it is the pilots’ virile lust for flying that makes them sneak
deep into the gorges or if it is necessary in order to acquire the
data from the underground. The suspicion that there may be a
little too much Tom Cruise in the mix is confirmed by the impish
grins that the pilots send each other..
THe BIG QUesTIOn
In all, we are away for eight hours. On the way back to our
starting point, the airport at Kangerlussuaq, we fly low over the
white wastelands of the inland ice which covers 80 per cent of
Greenland: a total of 1.7 million square kilometres - or about
half the size of Europe.
Experts have calculated that if this huge lump of ice undergoes
a total melt, it will mean an increase in sea levels of 7.1 metres.
On this bright, frosty day the ice seems unchanging as the engines
bring the 40,000 kilo aircraft sedately back to the base.
Worn out, the scientists stroll from the hangar over to the Science
Support Facility, KISS, their quarters in Kangerlussuaq.
The rest of the day is spent on briefing, securing the data, exchanging
experiences and summing up in general.
During 2012, scientists will spend a total of 75 days collecting
data from the glaciers, the sea ice and the inland ice. In addition
to the base in Kangerlussuaq, they will also make camp
at Thule Airbase and in Fairbanks in Canada. Similar missions
will be carried out in the Antarctic, starting out from Punta
Arenas in Chile.
Project leader Michael Studinger admits that the many hours
spent in a noisy aircraft are wearing on body and soul. But also
that he looks forward to each day when the team can take to
the sky.
– I find it difficult to imagine a more interesting job. It is the big
question, we are trying to find an answer to, he says with genuine,
scientist-enthusiasm.
33