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Atlantis II Geology Tools

Sensor Array

Both biological and geological research requires detailed data about conditions throughout the area directly above the vent field. To that end, one of the first apparatuses that should be deployed is a large number of sensor-laden probes spread across a three-dimensional grid at equal intervals. For more information about the structure, visit the robotics section of our webpage. The sensors that each probe will include are:

As well as an internal computer to collect the data, record it, and then transmit the data back to the laboratory.

The chemical identity sensor, possibly the most essential sensor on the probe, is by far the most experimental. Part of NASA's current research for Mars missions involves the construction of a probe that can determine what chemicals are present in a substance on-site and relatively quickly. They hope to have such a probe in use on their 2008 mission to Mars, and they expect to have a laboratory version of the probe, which uses the Raman effect to determine chemical identity, in less than two years. If this sensor proves too costly or cannot be acquired for our mission, the sensor cluster would then need the capability to collect small amounts of water samples at regular intervals and keep them separate from each other for chemical analysis in the laboratory.

One of the greatest advantages of this sensor array plan is its flexibility. Because all of the sensors are independent, if one malfunctions, it can be quickly and easily collected and replaced by an AUV. The sensor array can be moved to a more suitable location relatively easily if the on-board geologists and biologists find one. Sensor density can be varied, and should an opportunity such as a volcano eruption present itself, sensors can swiftly be carried to the site and begin collecting data.

Core Sampling Equipment

Fluorescin Dye