About 71% of the surface of the Earth is covered by water. However, over 80% of the world's oceans remain unmapped and unobserved. This means that space exploration has allowed us to explore more on the Moon's and Mars's topography than we do on our own home planet.
Because of this, experts find it difficult to understand the ocean depths in terms of their sustainability, biodiversity, and topography. A technology startup company recently took the challenge of being the first to map the ocean depths using its uncrewed mapping vehicle.
Closing the Exploration Gaps in Remote Waters
California-based Saildrone launched a 72-foot surveyor to revolutionize ocean mapping technology. It is considered the world's largest uncrewed ocean mapping vehicle, equipped with various instruments for high-resolution mapping of shallow and deep waters.
Saildrone collaborates with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) as part of a multi-agency public-private alliance. This partnership addresses ocean exploration gaps in remote regions using uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs).
In July 2022, Saildrone Surveyor SD 1200 left its headquarters in California, aiming to sail across the North Pacific. Between August and October 2022, it mapped the area around the Aleutian Islands in Alaska before proceeding to its second mission off the California coast. The historic crewless mission explored 45,000 square kilometers of the ocean floor in previously unknown regions.
During its journey, Saildrone Surveyor faced harsh conditions in the Aleutian region that would be too risky for most crewed survey vehicles. Amidst the strong winds and wave swells, the uncrewed mapping vehicle collected high-quality data without risking human life while reducing its carbon footprint.
Harnessing the Collected Data
High-priority areas across key regions were mapped by the vessel in high resolution, leading to unexpected discoveries. The mission provided significant data which revealed extraordinary detail about the Aleutian arc seafloor. Some of the previously unknown structures indicate possible hydrothermal vents. After mapping the additional priority areas in California, the uncrewed mapping vehicle also discovered a seamount that stands approximately 1,000 meters from the seabed. Such discoveries help the experts understand the processes in the ocean depths and identify the unique habitats that call for future exploration.
The NOAA Ocean Exploration used the preliminary data collected by Saildrone Surveyor in introducing its mission to explore Alaskan waters with NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during its 2023 field season. The journey of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can help establish standards for managing the deep waters in Alaska and protecting the marine environment in the region.
U.S. government officials also celebrate the success of the mission. During a press release, Dr. Aurora Elmore, cooperative institute manager at NOAA Ocean Exploration, explained that the U.S. can only utilize the ocean's resources by understanding its depth.
A healthy ocean and a safe, sustainable planet are the visions of Saildrone company. The information it gathers can offer intelligence and insights for various industries, such as earth system processes, maritime security, and climate change monitoring. The data obtained from all of these subjects can have a significant impact on humanity.
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