AUV System Spec Sheet

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Spray Glider configuration

Platform: Spray Glider
Manufacturer: Bluefin Robotics

Summary

Overview of Spray Spray was developed at Scripps under the guidance of Dr. Russ Davis. This buoyancy-driven underwater glider autonomously profiles the water column in a specified region, over deployment periods as long as 6 months. Spray changes its displacement using a hydraulic pump, enabling it to glide up and down along a see-saw glide path at descent (ascent) angles that can exceed 20 degrees. In 1,500-meter-deep water, Spray can conduct over 800 profiles while traveling 4,000 kilometers across the sea bed. Spray’s light weight (only 52 kilos) enables launch and recovery from small boats. Sensors, Navigation, and Communications The standard sensor suite is an oceanographic-grade CTD package. Fluorometers and optical backscatter sensors have been integrated into Spray vehicles as well. Navigation is provided by GPS fixes while surfaced, and users can communicate with the platform via the Iridium network. Spray’s combination of long endurance, accurate sensors, GPS navigation, and bi-directional communication, opens new opportunities (such as real-time adaptive sampling) to all who observe the ocean.