Field trials of the Nereus hybrid underwater robotic vehicle in the challenger deep of the Mariana Trench

This paper reports the results of sea trials of the Nereus hybrid underwater robotic vehicle (HROV) conducted in May and June 2009 in the Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench, where the vehicle successfully performed scientific observation and sampling operations at hadal depths of 10,903 m. The Nereus underwater vehicle is designed to perform scientific survey and sampling to the full depth of the ocean - significantly deeper than the depth capability of all other present-day operational vehicles. For comparison, the second deepest underwater vehicle currently operational worldwide can dive to 7,000 m maximum depth. Nereus operates in two different modes. For broad-area survey, the vehicle can operate untethered as an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) capable of exploring and mapping the sea floor with sonars and cameras. Nereus can be converted at sea to become a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to enable close-up imaging and sampling. The ROV configuration incorporates a lightweight fiber-optic tether for high-bandwidth, real-time video and data telemetry to the surface enabling high-quality teleoperation. A manipulator, lightweight hydraulic power unit, and sampling instruments are added to provide sampling capabilities. This paper reports a brief overview of the Nereus vehicle design, and reviews the initial results of the eight dives conducted on this expedition, including two dives to more than 10,900 m depth. The Nereus vehicle is designed to render all parts of the Earth's seafloor reachable and the sea trials of its full-ocean depth capability in May and June 2009 were successful.