Future Needs in Deep Submergence Science Occupied and Unoccupied Vehicles in Basic Ocean Research (2004) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 9-22
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From page 9... ...
Thanks to a combination of careful planning and serendipity, ocean scientists have revolutionized the view of life on Earth, changed understanding of global tectonic processes and the role of the oceans in climate change, uncovered lost relics of human history, and discovered hundreds of new species.
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From page 10... ...
These calls have been prompted by a part of the ocean science community that would like more capable vehicles, defined variously, but including one with better visibility; faster transit time to and from the surface, which would result in increased bottom time; and greater depth capabilities (Brown et al., 2000~. Although significant improvements have also been made in the design and operation of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)
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From page 11... ...
Based on scientific criteria, the deep sea is defined as beginning
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From page 12... ...
Chapter 2 documents the diverse nature and significance of deep submergence science and discusses the geographic and water column depth ranges in which this science has to be conducted. Techniques for sampling the ocean's depths have evolved over the last century and have generally involved sending a sampling instrument to a point within the water column or to the bottom of the ocean and then retrieving it.
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From page 13... ...
Piloting either type of vehicle demands intense concentration and the ability to exert fine control over the vehicle to obtain exact and specific data and samples. The scientific need to visit the deep ocean, obtain intact samples (in contrast to trawls, for example, which most often damage or destroy specimens)
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From page 14... ...
Consequently, a standing committee of UNOLS, the DEep Submergence Science Committee (DESSC) currently has primary science community advisory responsibilities for the NDSF.
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From page 15... ...
Because a wireless signal quickly fades, reflects, and is otherwise attenuated under water, the only reliable means of accurately controlling a remote underwater vehicle is through an umbilical cable. While increased bandwidth in acoustic communications and improved task-level control have made remote control of untethered remote vehicles a possibility in the future (NRC, 1996)
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From page 16... ...
Conversely, ROVs offer many benefits including reduced risk to human operators, enhanced potential for collaboration through real-time sharing of information with surface ship and scientists ashore, and virtually limitless bottom time. The best use of the vehicle, however, may differ from mission to mission depending on the needs of the principal investigator.
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From page 17... ...
Yoder, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Va., written communication, 2003~. Plans are currently under way to begin implementation of the research fleet upgrades recommended in a Federal Oceanographic Facilities Committee2 report published in December 2001 and 2The Federal Oceanographic Facilities Committee is a federal interagency committee that operates as part of the National Ocean Partnership Program created by Congress in 1997 through enactment of Public Law 201-104.
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From page 18... ...
There is a general and detailed list of desired capabilities, but these are not mapped to specific research initiatives. Input from the deep submergence community and a variety of oceanographic disciplines helped determine the science requirements, the geographic locations, depth ranges, and the current and future technologies needed for deep submergence science.
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From page 19... ...
Within the overall context of deep submergence science, use of Alvin is considered only as a component of an entire suite of DSV assets. In consideration of deep submergence needs and Alvin's important role, various options are provided that range from keeping Alvin as is, to improving it, to replacing it with a variety of different configurations.
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From page 20... ...
ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT The main focus of this report is to provide the evidence and arguments needed, as well as a range of options, to evaluate the greatest deep submergence vehicle capability for a set dollar amount. These issues are discussed at length and provide NSF with a list of possibilities for maintaining and improving NDSF assets.
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From page 21... ...
The chapter's focus is on improving the overall capability of the deep submergence fleet, including the standardization of tool sets and interfaces to be used on a broader range of deep-diving vehicles, HOVs and ROVs combined. Chapter 5 brings together the individual findings to provide a coherent vision of how the agencies should support deep submergence science in the next 10-20 years.
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