A look at the vehicles that allow the Inner Space Center to explore
Here’s a snapshot of the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) that explore the depths of the sea, helping scientists learn more about the wonders of the ocean floor. See the high-definition images the ROVs capture at the Inner Space Center.
Inner Space Center
Hercules
Meet the primary ROV working from the Nautilus. Hercules can explore to a depth of 4000 meters, and is outfitted with cameras, lights, instruments, manipulators, an array of sampling tools, an oxygen probe and high-resolution scanning sonars. Hercules is capable of maneuvering and hovering on a centimeter-scale grid. Together with its fellow ROV, Argus, Hercules has completed over 200 dives in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea.
Inner Space Center
Argus
Argus also calls the Nautilus home and has the ability to dive as deep as 6000 meters. It usually explores in tandem with Hercules, typically hovering several meters above the seafloor, over where Hercules is working. It has two powerful 1200-watt arc lamps, and it carries a high-definition camera as well as several standard-definition cameras. Argus also has instruments such as a depth sensor, altimeter, subbottom profiler and scanning sonar.
Inner Space Center
Argus at work
Inner Space Center
Little Hercules
Part of the team of the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer, Little Hercules can dive to a depth of 4000 meters. Scientists aboard the Okeanos Explorer control Little Hercules and all of its sensors via a fiber optic cable. It’s easy for Little Hercules to get around with four electric thrusters that propel it along like an underwater helicopter. It uses video cameras, high-intensity lights, depth and altitude sensors, and sonar systems to explore the mysteries of the deep sea.
Inner Space Center
Little Hercules at work
Inner Space Center
Seirios
The second ROV working from the Okeanos Explorer, Seirios can operate as a stand-alone towed vehicle or in tandem with another ROV such as Little Hercules. It can go as deep as 4000 meters, but is due for upgrades that will let it sink to depths of 6000 meters. Seirios carries no foam pack for flotation, avoiding buoyancy in the water. Navigating is easy with its two five-horsepower electric thrusters that allow it to move rotationally and laterally.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here