Solar powered autonomous surface vehicle development and operation

John R. Higinbotham, John R. Moisan, Philip M. Orton

Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

Abstract

The Ocean Atmosphere Sensor Integration System (OASIS) project involved development of autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) platforms for oceanographic and atmospheric research. The work was supported by NOAA and conducted in close association with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's (GSFC) Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). The OASIS solar powered ASV fleet was built to explore aspects of low-cost, reconfigurable mobile surface platforms for in-situ air-sea interface observations in coastal ocean and estuary environments. The platform is transported, deployed and recovered via boat trailer. The platform is piloted via remote control before engaging autonomous operations when inside water. Donald L. Blount and Associates Inc. offered the naval architecture support needed to design the hull and deck. The power systems comprises six 170-watt solar panels, and the onboard control system currently supports two navigation modes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages10-13
Number of pages4
Volume50
No7
Specialist publicationSea Technology
StatePublished - Jul 2009

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