This article was taken from the September 2014 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
Deep-sea explorers and scientists have long relied on the Alvin submersible, based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, to visit the abyssal depths. But after 50 years of diving everywhere from hydrothermal vents to the wreckage of the Titanic, it was ready for a makeover. Three years and $41 million (£24 million) later, Alvin is back in the water, with upgrades to propulsion, sensors and all the technology scientists will need for the next five decades of discovery. Here's his overhaul:
- The five-tonne titanium alloy sphere can take pressures up to 6,100 metres (that's 1,980 metres deeper than before) -- putting 98 per cent of the sea floor within reach.
- During one of Alvin's first return missions, its five new HD cameras and high-intensity LEDs captured a tiny ice worm grazing on a chunk of frozen methane hydrate.
- The old Alvin had 12cm viewports -- they could endure deep-sea pressure, but it was hard for scientists to see. Engineers doubled the area of its three forward-looking windows.
- Scientists need to transport sea floor samples to onshore labs for analysis.Alvin's new basket features twice the capacity --
181kg -- to haul heavy gets to the surface. - Alvin's pilots used to struggle with manual controls in strong currents. Computerised thrusters and steering maintain the sub's position automatically, so they can focus on the science.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
