In the News
Storm experts will send tough robots directly into hurricanes
A seafaring drone can sail where people can't: straight into a hurricane. During the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season (it's predicted to be busy), that's exactly what scientists will do: send marine robots into the heart of churning cyclones. The unprecedented mission aims to improve researchers' understanding of how hurricanes rapidly intensify into monstrous storms with destructive winds and deadly flooding. If all goes as planned, the drones will venture through the storm's most violent winds, which circle the eye of a cyclone, called an eyewall.
Saildrone goes chasing hurricanes in the Caribbean
Though some folks chase storms for the thrill, and others out of curiosity, there are also those who pursue severe weather events for scientific purposes. And it's the lattermost pursuit that will see a small fleet of unmanned surface vehicles deliberately head into hurricane territory.
Scientists hope to steer robotic surfboards into hurricanes
For decades, atmospheric scientists have targeted hurricanes by land, sea and air, flying airplanes into their cores to collect measurements from the belly of the beast. Now, a joint venture between Saildrone Inc. and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is taking a new approach: drive winged, robotic surfboards into the path of an approaching storm. Chris Meinig is quoted.
Robot Measures Air-Sea Carbon Dioxide Exchange in Southern Ocean
Unique air and ocean surface observations of the Southern Ocean from a 22,000 km, 196-day circumnavigation around Antarctica by an Uncrewed Surface Vehicle. Highlights recent publication by Adrienne Sutton et al. in Geophysical Research Letters.
Ocean-Going Robots Poised to Enter Bering Sea to Start Unconventional Fisheries Survey
Scientists implement a contingency plan to collect valuable abundance data to support sustainable management of the largest commercial fishery in the United States.