Following issues with the use of Mountain Hardwear Space Station tents in high winds, IDP researched alternative tent options and purchased a 6 x 6 m Axion low-pressure inflatable tent in 2023 from Zepelin USA. The manufacturer has tested the tent in winds up to 100 kph (62 mph or 53 knots). A 7 x 7 m tent was subsequently purchased to allow for more headroom for Winkie Drill operations. The tents are comprised of inflatable air beams, removeable sides, and red coloring along the beams for visibility in poor weather conditions and easy identification by aircraft. The 6 x 6 m tent functioned well in northeast Greenland in 2023 with the Winkie Drill and Eclipse Drills, but experienced issues when used at Allan Hills, Antarctica. Average wind speed and gust data will determine where the Axion tents will be most useful.
Photos
IDP Winkie Drill operations in the inflatable Axion tent in NE Greenland in support of the GreenDrill project during the 2024 field season. Credit: Allie Balter-Kennedy.
View of the drill tent (Axion Tent) that housed the Eclipse Drill at Allan Hills, Antarctica, during the 2024/25 field season. Credit: Andrew Haala.
The 6 meter x 6 meter Axion tent set-up inside the IDP-WI warehouse. Photo credit: IDP.
The 6 meter x 6 meter Axion tent set-up inside the IDP-WI warehouse. Photo credit: IDP.