The autonomous underwater glider "Spray" |
| |
| Authors: | Sherman J Davis RE Owens WB Valdes J |
| |
| Institution: | Scripps Instn. of Oceanogr., La Jolla, CA; |
| |
| Abstract: | A small (50-kg, 2-m long) underwater vehicle with operating speeds of 20-30 cm/s and ranges up to 6000 km has been developed and field tested. The vehicle is essentially an autonomous profiling float that uses a buoyancy engine to cycle vertically and wings to glide horizontally while moving up and down. Operational control and data relay is provided by GPS navigation and two-way communication through ORBCOMM low-Earth-orbit satellites. Missions are envisioned with profile measurements repeated at a station or spaced along a transect. The initial instrument complement of temperature, conductivity, and pressure sensors was used to observe internal waves and tides in the Monterey underwater canyon |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
