Remotely Operated Vehicle SuBastian
ROV SuBastian. Image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute. Download larger version (jpg, 646 KB).
Owned and operated by the Schmidt Ocean Institute , SuBastian is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) capable of diving to 2.8 miles (4,500 meters) depth. SuBastian is deployed from Research Vessel (R/V) Falkor and is connected to the ship by a long cable, or tether. Pilots in a control room onboard Falkor (remotely) control SuBastian.
ROV SuBastian is equipped with a suite of sensors and scientific instruments needed to explore our deep ocean. The vehicle has several video cameras as well as a high-definition still camera; a series of powerful LED lights illuminate the darkness, allowing scientists to capture visuals down below. The satellite connection on R/V Falkor allows for ship-to-shore outreach, carrying live video from SuBastian on the seafloor, up to the ship, and off to the Internet.
Other standard sensors on the vehicle include oxygen and pressure depth sensors and a Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) sensor. SuBastian is also designed to accommodate additional scientific tools as needed to accomplish a particular mission. Two manipulator arms on the ROV allow pilots to collect biological and geological samples , allowing for future analyses and understanding of ocean environments.
SuBastian and Falkor travel the world, carrying out Schmidt Ocean Institute’s mission to advance science and sharing of data and information in order to expand understanding of our world ocean.
Submersible Namesake
SuBastian was named after Bastian, a character in The NeverEnding Story.
ROV SuBastian prepares for the first dive of the Searching for Life in the Mariana Back-arc expedition. Image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute. Download larger version (jpg, 505 KB).
ROV SuBastian being deployed from R/V Falkor. Image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute. Download larger version (jpg, 468 KB).