not at a premium the tube arrangement could be comprised of a single tube section of a length just greater than the thickness of the ice to be penetrated fig5 is an isometric view of the apparatus in the deployed condition with a quarter section broken away thereby showing the apertured support member filter 26 in more detail additionally fig5 illustrates a gas charging valve 72 which is connected with bladder 34 through cover 12 to initially charge the bladder to its high pressure state fig6 illustrates the deployment of the apparatus in operation an underwater vehicle 76 traveling in the water beneath an ice cap 78 deploys the apparatus 10 which then assumes a vertical position as illustrated at a and starts sinking due to its slightly negative buoyancy a sensor package 80 carrying a sensor as well as transmitting apparatus is illustrated as being connected to the bottom of containment vessel 10 after a predetermined time period the buoyancy collar 40 is inflated as at position b so as to impart a positive buoyancy to the apparatus which then travels to the underside of ice cap 78 after contact with the underside of ice cap 78 position c fluid admission valve 18 fig1 is activated such as by the force of impact or a timer by way of example as soon as extension starts occurring high pressure fluid emerging from the nozzle 24 starts to erode a hole in the ice cap while the remainder of the tube arrangement telescopes to its full position as illustrated at d due.