In the News
These autonomous sailing drones help researchers forecast extreme weather
Oceanic researchers are turning to autonomous sea drones to help them forecast extreme weather and understand the world's changing weather patterns. The 23-foot-long drones are made by Bay Area start-up Saildrone. Each Saildrone can be outfitted with a number of different sensors that it uses to gather and transmit real-time measurements on metrics including temperature, wind, humidity, solar radiation and weather patterns. References the TPOS Saildrone mission.
Fleet of sailboat drones could monitor climate change’s effect on oceans
Two 7-meter-long sailboats are set to return next month to California, after nearly 8 months tacking across the Pacific Ocean. Puttering along at half-speed, they will be heavy with barnacles and other growth. No captains will be at their helms. Meghan Cronin is quoted.
These ocean drones are trawling for climate change data
A fleet of unmanned boats is traveling from the Arctic to the equator, gathering vital data on climate change.
The autonomous vessels -- called "Saildrones" -- resemble bright red surfboards. Each is fitted with a 20-foot-high carbon fiber sail, and 16 sensors that test variables including carbon dioxide, acidity, currents and water temperature.
Sea-Bird's Inductive Modem System Providing Real-Time Data from NOAA PMEL Ocean Climate Station Moorings
To improve satellite products and forecast models, as well as our understanding of air-sea interactions, NOAA gathers meteorological and oceanic data from autonomous platforms. The resulting data empower the world to adapt to climate variations, while improved forecast models help reduce our vulnerability to weather and climate extremes. References OCS moorings.
High-Tech ‘Saildrones’ To Help Predict El Niño, Collect Climate Data
Imagine being able to accurately predict extreme weather events such as hurricanes Harvey and Irma months in advance to better prepare those in their paths. Recently in San Francisco Bay, KPIX 5 caught a glimpse of such a future: a boat pulling two high-tech “saildrones” out to the Pacific.