Remotely operated and robotic vehicles are candidates for ocean surveys, such as bathymetry and 

 photo surveys, and the measurement of specific parameters in time and space. The robotic 

 vehicle, almost by definition, will need the high degree of decision making capability that 

 research submersibles now have in pilots and scientists. They could be capable of extended 

 submerged operations following launch from shore or ship to home on any desired target. The 

 same logic can apply equally to surface platforms. An unmanned surface platform would require 

 the ability to make decisions about its environment as well as its current performance. It must 

 be able to contend with a wide variety of circumstances during a long unattended term, and it 

 must have the ability to manage and plan the function of its instruments in 

 response to a changing environment. 



Funds required to meet these needs are $2M in FY 1 989 with an approximate doubling of this 

 effort by FY 1 996 ($3.8M). 



III. Oceanographic Technology Component of the Global Program 



A pilot program in oceanographic technology development was initiated several years ago. It 

 demonstrated that this component is essential to overall productivity of the ocean sciences, and it 

 is a key component of the global program. During the next decade, continued advances in ocean 

 sciences will be significantly influenced by introductions and further developments in at least 

 four major technologies: satellite-based remote observing systems, ocean sample collecting 

 systems, new ocean structures, and supercomputers. With the enhancements requested, these 

 technologies will help meet the requirements of the major new global-scale ocean sciences 

 initiatives. 



A. Remote Measurements: The prospect of synoptic measurements on global scales from 

 satellite altimeters, scatterometers, and microwave radars has excited the ocean science 

 community for some time. The Long-Range Plan for the Ocean Sciences depends upon an effective 

 and "easy to access" program with satellites, such as NROSS and TOPEX. While much of the 

 costly technology for satellites is appropriately being developed under the aegis of NASA, it is 

 unlikely that NASA will develop technology to support the needs of effective networking, 

 processing, and analysis of oceanographic data. Funds to meet these needs are included in the 

 Global Ocean Studies initiatives. 



In addition to satellite measurements, but equally important, are remote measurements using 

 techniques such as optic and acoustic sensors, autonomous vehicles, and deep ocean observing 

 networks. Engineering and technical requirements of these systems for basic research purposes 

 will fall entirely upon the ocean community. 



B. Sample Collecting Systems: In situ measurements of many ocean properties are 

 possible and highly desirable, but there are many others that require laboratory analysis of 

 samples collected at sea. Samples are required, not only to verify and calibrate remotely 

 obtained in situ measurements, but also to describe features being studied. Many water, 

 particulate, and biological sampling systems now in use must be operated blind, towed over 

 poorly defined areas at the ends of long cables. Sampling systems that can better sense their 

 environment and be selectively controlled for appropriate time and space scales need to be 

 developed. Such systems could be tethered to ships by cable or integrated into autonomous 

 vehicles or moored arrays. 



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