"Alvin
is functionally a new vehicle," said Harvard University scientist Peter
Girguis of the retrofitted sub. The $42 million upgrades include
automatic command and control functions, a higher battery capacity,
high-definition cameras, and a new forward lateral thruster.
"I
think the new command-and-control systems make it easier for pilots to
manage the sub, so they can participate more in the dive, rather than
just drive," said Susan Humphris, the WHOI scientist who supervised the
upgrade. "The biggest advantage of the lateral thruster is that it
enables Alvin to move sideways like a crab, saving valuable
time in the sub. In the past, pilots had to back up and then go forward
to move laterally."
Check out the slide show at the link below on the WHOI website and see what other treasures Alvin has found for us.
Link: HERE
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