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More OCEAN EXPLORATION and UNDERSEA RESEARCH topics:

Ocean Exploration and Undersea Research

Technologies and Capabilities for Ocean Research and Exploration

Background
NOAA's various missions in coastal and ocean waters depend on technology. It is only in the past half century that technology has advanced to the point that we can examine the oceans in systematic, scientific and noninvasive ways. The changing and difficult study of the ocean realm requires new intellectual approaches and a national investment in a new mode of conducting marine investigations. With the exception of advanced synoptic remote sensing technologies over the last several decades, surface-ship expeditions have dominated ocean science since World War II. New approaches, such as advanced sea floor observatories and human-occupied habitats greatly enhance traditional capabilities by providing invaluable long-term monitoring and continuity of observations.

Why is ocean technology important?
Technology should be viewed as a means to support research and exploration on and under the ocean and to support NOAA's broad responsibilities in understanding and predicting changes in our environment. New technologies are also utilized to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources to meet the Nation's needs environmentally and economically. The numerous technologies that make this possible include the ships, submersibles, diving technologies and observation tools that transport us across oceans and into their depths allowing us to examine, record, and conduct research on the multitude of mysteries. NOAA Research, along with its extramural partners, owns or provides access to a wide range of assets that can conduct operations from the coastal oceans and large lakes to depths of 6,500 meters (21,300 feet), accomplishing a broad spectrum of research tasks. These include both occupied and unoccupied vehicles as well as platforms and observatories such as the Aquarius laboratory and the LEO-15 underwater observatory. In addition we operate numerous small ROVs and a light-work ROV, which has substantial payload and sampling capability to depths to 1,000 meters. We are in the process of developing several autonomous undersea vehicle (AUV) designs that will serve NOAA's research needs. In addition, another university partner, the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory, operates two occupied submersibles, Pisces IV& V, capable of 2,000 meter depths from a 220 foot support ship. We also have an agreement with the US Navy for access to the two-scientist nuclear powered submarine, NR-1. An interagency agreement with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution provides scientists the Alvin submersible (4,500 meter depth) and Jason ROV (6,000 meters). We have also leased deep water systems from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and Delta Oceanographics.

Exploration and research on ecosystems requires detailed study and observation. Working in the oceans presents unique challenges since the ocean is one of the most complex and harsh environments on earth and accessing it requires unique technologies and capabilities. Instrumentation and certain tools are needed to adequately collect data and samples from the coast to the deepest ocean depths. These include sondes, CTDs, and submersible samplers and collectors for specific needs such as geothermal fluids. Another important requirement is to scientifically document the undersea environment using still and video imagery. Specialized water and pressure resistant equipment must be developed and utilized. Underwater photography is constrained by factors unique to the aquatic environment such as very limited visibility, lighting, and water quality. Newly developed digital cameras allow for several orders of magnitude more storage and better control of the imagery being documented.

Priority areas for future technology developments
Recent technical advancements in low-power miniaturized components enable development of ocean floor stations that feature a wide variety of in situ sampling tools and sensors. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) can use sea floor observatories as a home base to power-up and download acquired data, thereby extending the geographic range of these stations. Real-time data and imagery are routinely transmitted to land-based laboratories and the internet via cables, radios, and satellite. Scientists can control in situ experiments and equipment from their land-based laboratories through sea floor observatories and habitats. The following are examples of the next generation in the development of technology for better understanding the oceans. Laser line scanning for habitat assessment provides efficiency and spatial coverage of a remote survey system and image resolution approaching visual observations. This technology allows millemeter scale resolution at two to five times the range of conventional imaging systems. Preliminary results indicate that this new capability has the potential to improve the efficiency and accuracy of fish habitat assessment. NOAA Research has partnered with universities in numerous marine biotechnology ventures. Several AUVs for science are being developed to support various NOAA missions. Preliminary requirements for one major AUV design include 1,500 meter depth capability for two days for habitat characterization, seafloor mapping, and observatory support. In addition, the AUV will have multiple sensors and precise navigation and tracking. These technology developments will provide NOAA and its extramural partners the capability to conduct research and exploration in order to better understand our marine environment.

NOAA Research programs that study Technologies and Capabilities for Ocean Research and Exploration

NOAA's Undersea Research Program
NOAA’s Ocean Explorer Program
NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory
NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory

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Updated June 25, 2007