The world's smallest nuclear submarine, NR-1 was built
in 1969 but has been continually upgraded to provide outstanding capabilities
for military surveillance and marine research at mid-ocean depths (3,000
feet).
Outfitting NR-1 with advanced imaging systems such as laser
line scanners and subbottom chirpers will allow cruise participants to study
Gulf of Mexico reef systems in unprecedented detail and resolution. |
Click on the photos
for a closer look!
A sketch of the NR-1 submarine. |
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| NR-1 is able to land on the seafloor on a pair of retractable
wheels and can lift heavy objects with a manipulator arm system. NR-1's
major strength, however, is the ability to provide a stable platform and
abundant electric power for surveillance missions of two weeks or longer. |
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| Inside NR-1: Although living conditions
are cramped by the standards of surface ships, NR-1 is very roomy compared
with other deep submersibles. The living quarters accommodate ten crew members
and two to three scientists. |
NASA Astronaut Jim Reilly pauses during a mission to the gulf. The
captain's "berth" can be seen at Jim's feet. |
Instrumentation and Data Processing
|
| Laser Line Scan System: The Raytheon
Model LS4042 provides the highest optical resolution and greatest coverage
of any marine imaging system. Full digital data logging at 1024-4096 pixels/swath
will generate data sets that can be processed with use of satellite image
processing routines. |
The Laser Line Scan System |
Geo-rectified Mosaics: With
use of ER-Mapper and PV Wave software the individual swaths of laser line
scan data are corrected and joined into high-resolution images covering
100's of square meters of sea-floor
area.
X-Star Subbottom Chirper: This
is a subbottom profiler that uses 2-16 kHz transducers. Full digital display
and data logging will generate data sets that can be used to understand
the shallow geological features of hydrocarbon seeps and deep reefs. |
Click for photo |
Navigation
Long Base-Line acoustic transponders (Benthos TR6000 system)
will provide sub-meter accuracy for mosaic georectification.
Ultra Short Base-Line acoustic tracking (Nautronics ATS
system) will provide continuous positioning for long-range surveys. |
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