The drilling has started. The casing for the first two meters - drilled with a 220mm diameter - was placed in the hole and during the first night a progress of 10 meters was made. The drillers as well as the scientists work in 12 hour shifts 24/7. The drilling rig is a SIF 650 M. The outer diameter following the 220 mm start-up is 161 mm, with an ID of 112 mm for the actual core. The drill is driven by a pneumatic-rotary system. A compressor generates a high air pressure to get out the cutting (which are collected as well) and to guarantee for clean cores.