The Atlantis Research Submersible Explorer is designed to complement
scientific research conducted at the Atlantis 1 underwater research
facility. With a range of more than five miles and a depth range of 200 m,
the vehicle is ideal for exploration in and around the Blue Hole. The
standard operating time of twelve hours allows up to two researchers to
engage in extended scientific studies.
General Specifications
A. Dimensions | |
1. Overall | |
a. Length | 5.0 m (16' 5") |
b. Beam | 2.5 m (8' 2.5") |
c. Height | 2.5 m (8' 2.5") |
d. Weight | 10000 kg (22000 lb) |
e. Hatch Opening | 0.75 m (2' 6") |
2. Viewing Sphere | |
a. Inside Diameter | 1.75 m (5' 10") |
b. Thickness | 12.5 cm (5") |
3. Pressure Hull | |
a. Length | 2.4 m (8') |
b. Inside Diameter | 1.75 m (5' 10") |
B. Power | |
1. Primary Batteries | |
a. 120V DC bank of 10 12V DC lead-acid batteries | |
b. 36 kWh (300 Ampere-hours) | |
c. Controls thrusters, exterior lights, and robot arm | |
2. Secondary Battery System | |
a. 36V bank of 3 12V DC lead-acid batteries | |
b. 3.6 kWh (100 Ah) | |
c. Controls interior systems | |
3. Emergency Battery System | |
a. 1 12V DC lead-acid battery | |
b. 1.2 kWh (100 Ah) |
C. Propulsion | |
1. Main Thruster | 500 N thrust, 1 kW |
2. Positioning Thrusters | |
a. Fore Thrusters | 250 N thrust, 0.5 kW each, rotatable |
b. Lateral Thruster | 250 N thrust, 0.5 kW |
D. Operating Characteristics | |
1. Depth | 0-200m (660') |
a. Ballast | dual side tanks |
(1) Capacity | 1.0 m^3 (0.5 each) |
(2) Total Air | 10 m^3 |
(3) Emergency | manual operation |
b. Control | trim tank |
(1) Capacity | 0.1 m^3 |
2. Speed | |
a. Cruise | 1.0 knots, 1 thruster |
b. Maximum | 1.8 knots, 3 thrusters |
3. Endurance | |
a. Range | 5 nautical miles (8850 m) |
b. Mission Time | 12 hours |
4. Capacity | 2 researchers |
E. Life Support | |
1. Air Control Systems | |
a. Oxygen | dual side tanks |
(1) Capacity | 2.0 m^3 (75 ft^3) |
(2) Monitoring | automatic |
(3) Emergency | manual operation |
b. Carbon Dioxide | |
(1) Control | LiOH scrubbers |
(2) Monitoring | automatic |
2. Emergency Equipment | |
a. Life Jackets (2) | |
b. Portable Signal Lights (2) | |
c. Emergency Lighting | |
d. Lifting point for emergency retrieval |
F. Research Equipment | |
1. Robot Arm | |
a. Fully Extended Length | 1.5 m |
b. Lift Capacity | 45 kg |
2. Outboard Lighting | top- and bottom-mounted |
3. Outboard Camera | top-mounted |