Power system for the new Jason ROV

Jason II/Medea is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) system built and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) for oceanographic research to depths of 6500 m. Jason II/Medea is a two-body system: Medea operates at the end of the 10 km electro-optical tether cable and decouples Jason from surface ship motion. Jason II is connected to Medea by a 35 m long neutrally buoyant umbilical. The free swimming Jason II is propelled by six DC brushless electric thrusters that provide about 500 lbs of thrust in each of three axes of motion. Jason II features dual manipulators, a detachable sample sled, workspace lighting, still and video cameras and navigation and science survey instruments. Jason II also provides a payload capacity for mission-specific scientific instruments and tools. The new power system delivers, controls and monitors all the power used on the vehicle under the command of the control system software.