Preparing the probes

1. Each probe carries a chunk of electronics that consists of three circuit boards packed with components, stacked atop six 3.6-volt lithium-ion batteries.

2. A case made of polyester resin houses the circuitry and protects it from ice and water inside the glacier.

3. The two-piece case is 14.8 centimeters long and 6.8 cm in diameter. It withstands extremely low temperatures and high pressures.

4. Ahmed Elsaify brushes on superglue and epoxy to seal a probe's case.

5. Kirk Martinez prepares the base station: a plastic box containing a Linux-based computer that will receive data from the probes at the glacier.