IPFS News Link • Underwater Exploration and Living
Underwater drones to map world's oceans
• http://www.telegraph.co.uk, By Rhiannon WilliamsEach 2.2 metre-long glider will rely on the energy from buoyancy changes to propel it forwards at speeds of around 35 km per day as it navigates using altitude and depth sensors, a GPS receiver and altimeter.
The drones will continually collect data about the oceans' currents, temperature and salinity to improve the accuracy of current climate and weather forecasting. Levels of phytoplankton around the vehicles will also be monitored using sustainable optic sensors.
The data will be transmitted to the research time via a telecommunications link provided by Iridium satellites every time each submarine surfaces.