Team Expectations

   We will determine what jobs the transport system will be responsible for and decide accordingly on the number and types of transport vehicles needed. Some possible features of the system will include functionality in the transport or propulsion of the following: construction materials, scientists, technical personnel, escape pods, rescue pods, and supplies. The transport system will be designed to minimize the disturbance to the biological and geological environment of the vent. In addition, it will meet certain safety specifications and incorporate the communications system developed by Vent 10. We will attempt to keep the scope of the project to the amount of funding available. The team will come up with a schedule of operation for the first 6 months.

   The completed design of the transport system will include details about all vehicles needed including ocean surface and station docking structures. We will research into an engine and power source that is efficient and safe and that best utilizes the natural resources of the vent environment. We will also come up with control/navigation systems, security features, communications structures, defense mechanisms, and a life support system. Finally, the materials for the construction of vehicles will be carefully selected to withstand the pressure and last in the corrosive ocean environment. A solution will be developed to deal with the huge difference in pressure between the surface and the bottom.

   We believe that communication with other groups will be an essential part of our project. Vent 1-3 teams can provide information on what resources are available in the environment and feedback on how much the vehicles disturb or damage the surroundings. Collaboration with Vent 4 will be essential since the habitat of the station will determine the amount of supplies that must be transported and the construction process. The Reef 5 team shares many of our goals and quite a few of the systems will be needed on both teams' crafts. Vent and Reef teams 6 and 7 can be helpful with the navigation system and the materials used to construct vehicles. We will work with Vent 8 to establish safety specifications and Vent 9 to make sure the scope of the project is reasonable in terms of funding. Finally, the transport system will be an integral part of the communications system being designed by Vent 10.

Jennifer Lao
Olivia Leitermann
Victoria Liu
Oleg Shamovsky