The Discovery Channel’s latest documentary, titled “The Quest for Amelia Earhart,” chronicles a groundbreaking expedition to unravel the enduring mystery surrounding the legendary aviator’s disappearance. The workforce brought their superior drone-based expertise to the dense jungles of Papua New Guinea as part of an ongoing quest to solve one of aviation’s most enduring enigmas.
The Legacy of Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart vanished over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 while attempting to become the first woman to fly around the globe. Despite numerous attempts, she and her aircraft remain elusive and have never been found. For centuries, numerous theories and expeditions have endeavored to unravel the enigma surrounding her vanishing act. A new documentary embodies the ongoing pursuit of this timeless inquiry.
In the run-up to the expedition, SPH Engineering received an invitation to join forces approximately two years prior, leveraging their successful experience in Greenland. Utilizing drone-mounted magnetometers, a team endeavored to locate Amelia Earhart’s missing plane in the treacherous environment of Papua New Guinea’s New Britain island.
Making ready for the Mission
Planning for this mission commenced in February 2021. Researchers conducted experimental tests using drone-mounted magnetometers to identify aircraft engines in the field. These early examinations served as a foundation for the knowledge and techniques that would eventually be applied in the field. The workforce thoroughly examined satellite television footage and topographical maps to meticulously assess the terrain, a crucial step in their mission planning process. The evaluation concluded that the standard vegetation top would enable the detection of aircraft engines via magnetometer.
Upon arriving in Papua New Guinea in 2021, the SPH Engineering team swiftly deployed a fleet of drones equipped with cutting-edge magnetometers, LiDAR technology, and advanced photogrammetry instruments. The initial stage involved deploying a miniature drone to generate precise topographic maps of the search area, a crucial foundation for strategizing future aerial operations. The maps were acquired through LiDAR scanning at a protected altitude, enabling the creation of high-precision Digital Floor Models (DFMs) and Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), which informed magnetic survey planning initiatives.
Challenges and Findings
Using a drone-mounted magnetometer, the workforce conducted magnetic surveys. Despite initial assumptions, the exceptional height of trees presented difficulties in preparing a magnetic flight plan. “In contrast to satellite imagery available prior to the expedition, we observed that the typical height of trees was slightly higher; however, the primary concern was the presence of ‘skyscrapers’ towering up to 60 meters tall,” Janis Kuze, Director of Special Projects at SPH Engineering, noted. While tall trees may have obstructed satellite TV reception, their presence actually complicated the detection process, as magnetic anomalies were successfully identified at a B-17 bomber crash site despite this obstacle.
Despite their specialization in magnetometers for detecting plane engines, the team found that the abundance of non-ferrous timber and restricted magnetic ferrous steel in aircraft engines posed a significant challenge to reliable detection. The epiphany triggered a paradigmatic pivot towards LiDAR expertise.
Profitable Use of LiDAR Expertise
The workforce conducted numerous low-altitude LiDAR flights, leveraging previous scans for informed flight planning, to create highly detailed maps of the subterranean terrain beneath the timber. New archaeological findings indicate that LiDAR technology has pinpointed possible Japanese troop routes and a feature conforming to the shape and size of Amelia Earhart’s ill-fated Lockheed Electra aircraft.
The expedition’s outcomes had been constructively impactful from a technological perspective. The SPH Engineering team made significant strides in both their technical expertise and workflow methodologies, significantly boosting their readiness for forthcoming projects. We consider the expedition a resounding success across multiple fronts. The partnership provided us with unparalleled expertise in high-pressure scenarios, empowering us to scrutinize and refine our technological innovations, noted Alexey Dobrovolskiy, CEO of SPH Engineering. With evident appreciation, he voiced his thanks for the opportunity to participate in this pivotal endeavour, his enthusiasm palpable as he looked forward to being involved in similar missions to come.
The expedition not only sought to uncover new information about Amelia Earhart’s disappearance but also provided SPH Engineering with unique and valuable experiences that equipped the team with the necessary skills and knowledge for future operations in complex, high-tech environments?
