Exploring the depths of the ocean has long fascinated scientists and adventurers alike, but the challenges posed by the dark, high-pressure environments of the deep sea have made this a daunting task. However, advancements in technology are paving the way for a new era of ocean exploration.
The development of autonomous, robotic submersibles have unlocked the potential for deeper, more precise, and more efficient dives into previously unreachable regions of the ocean. One of the most promising innovations in this field is Orpheus, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in collaboration with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Orpheus, the cutting-edge submersible, is not just any underwater vehicle. Weighing in at approximately 550 pounds (250 kilograms), it is significantly smaller and lighter than traditional deep-sea submersibles, making it easier to transport, deploy, and operate. It is designed to be nimble, rugged, and capable of operating at extreme ocean depths. The submersible’s mission is to demonstrate the potential of terrain-relative navigation, a technology that has already proven essential in space exploration.
Terrain-relative navigation was instrumental in the success of NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, which landed on the Martian surface on February 18, 2021. The rover used a combination of cameras and software to map the Martian landscape, identify potential hazards, and select a safe landing site autonomously. This same concept is now being adapted for use in the murky, pressure-filled waters of Earth’s deep ocean.
The technology demonstration for Orpheus was set to take place aboard the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer. Departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, the two-week expedition would explore the waters off the U.S. East Coast, showcasing how Orpheus could be used to autonomously navigate, map, and identify scientific points of interest on the seafloor.
Visual-Inertial Odometry: The Heart of Orpheus
The backbone of Orpheus’ navigation system is a technology known as visual-inertial odometry (xVIO). This system blends high-resolution cameras with pattern-matching software and instruments that measure the submersible’s orientation and movement.
As Orpheus travels over the seafloor, xVIO uses images of the ocean floor, capturing features like rocks, shells, and coral, to create a 3D map of the environment. This approach allows the submersible to maintain an accurate position and navigate without the need for large, power-consuming sonar systems.
What sets xVIO apart is its ability to create and store high-resolution maps. When Orpheus revisits a location, it can compare the new imagery with previously stored maps and use the unique distribution of features to recalibrate its navigation.
This means that, over time, the submersible can create a comprehensive 3D representation of the seafloor, which can be shared with other robots to support collaborative exploration. In essence, Orpheus’ navigation system transforms it from a simple exploration tool into an intelligent, adaptive vehicle capable of learning and refining its path over repeated dives.
Orpheus is not just a singular innovation; it represents the beginning of a broader vision for the future of deep-sea exploration. The ultimate goal is to create a fleet of autonomous vehicles capable of working together to chart vast areas of the ocean floor, particularly in the hadal zone, which encompasses regions deeper than 20,000 feet (6,000 meters). These extreme depths, found in deep ocean trenches and near hydrothermal vents, are among the least explored and most mysterious parts of the ocean.
The potential impact of this kind of exploration is enormous. By using a swarm of autonomous submersibles equipped with advanced navigation technology, scientists could create 3D maps of the seafloor on an unprecedented scale.
This approach would not only allow for more efficient mapping but also facilitate the discovery of unique biological hotspots, geological features, and potential new resources. “This tech demo will be used to gather data to demonstrate the viability of terrain-relative navigation in the ocean while also showing how multiple robots will operate together in extreme environments,” said Russell Smith, a robotics mechanical engineer at JPL.
The Broader Implications for Science and Space Exploration
The potential applications of Orpheus’ technology extend beyond ocean exploration. The development of these advanced autonomous systems has direct implications for space exploration. For instance, the challenges of navigating and mapping the Martian surface share similarities with those of the deep ocean. By refining these technologies here on Earth, scientists are better equipped to adapt them for future space missions.
“By staying small, we’ve created a new, simplified tool for ocean scientists – one that directly benefits NASA as an analogue system for autonomous space exploration,” noted Andy Klesh, a systems engineer at JPL. The technology developed for Orpheus could be adapted for use in exploring subsurface oceans on other celestial bodies, such as Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, which is believed to have an ocean beneath its icy crust. The conditions in Europa’s subsurface ocean are thought to be comparable to those at extreme depths on Earth, making it an ideal environment for testing Earth-based exploration tools.
The implications of this research are profound. As Tim Shank, the biologist leading WHOI’s Hadal Exploration (HADEX) program, pointed out, understanding the most extreme environments on Earth could help answer fundamental questions about the potential for life beyond Earth. “It is a profound thing to think that this expedition could be the stepping stone to new discoveries about our own planet, including answering that most fundamental question: Is life unique to Earth, or are there other places beyond this pale blue dot where life could have arisen?” Shank said.
Orpheus’ Technical and Scientific Highlights
One of the standout features of Orpheus is its lightweight and compact design. Unlike traditional submersibles that often require bulky, high-power sonar systems to navigate, Orpheus uses a low-power system that allows it to operate more efficiently. This is crucial for long-duration missions, where power conservation is essential. The use of cameras and lights in combination with advanced software means that Orpheus can explore areas that are often shrouded in darkness, revealing the seafloor in unprecedented detail.
The ability to autonomously identify and map seafloor features provides a level of precision and adaptability that was previously unattainable. Orpheus is designed to be deployed in extreme conditions and can operate untethered, meaning it can reach depths and navigate areas that are inaccessible to most other vehicles. This opens the door to more thorough and frequent exploration of the most isolated regions of the ocean, such as the Mariana Trench and other deep-sea trenches.
Additionally, Orpheus’ visual-inertial odometry system allows it to learn and adapt over time. The system’s ability to store and recall high-resolution maps enables it to expand its understanding of its environment with each dive. This makes it a powerful tool for long-term scientific projects, where repeated visits to the same area are necessary to monitor changes over time, such as shifts in marine ecosystems or geological activity.
The Collaboration Between NASA, WHOI, and NOAA
The development of Orpheus represents a unique and successful collaboration between multiple organizations with different areas of expertise. NASA’s JPL brought its advanced engineering skills and experience in space exploration to the table, developing the vision-based navigation technology that powers Orpheus.
WHOI contributed its deep-sea exploration knowledge and field expertise, ensuring that the submersible could operate in the extreme conditions of the deep ocean. Meanwhile, NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer provides the platform for real-world testing and demonstration.
This collaboration underscores the importance of cross-disciplinary partnerships in advancing scientific exploration. “The technologies being developed to explore Earth’s oceans with smart, small, and rugged autonomous underwater vehicles could ultimately be harnessed to explore the oceans on other worlds,” Klesh said. By combining the strengths of each organization, Orpheus is poised to become a prototype for future autonomous exploration missions, whether on Earth or in space.
What’s Next for Orpheus and Deep-Sea Exploration?
The current demonstration and future missions for Orpheus represent a significant step forward for ocean science. However, the true potential of this technology will only be realized when it is deployed in the most extreme environments, such as the hadal zone and deep-sea trenches. The ability to create detailed 3D maps and identify regions of biological activity will provide scientists with invaluable insights into the unexplored depths of the ocean, potentially leading to new discoveries about the planet’s geology, biodiversity, and even the origins of life.
The vision of swarms of small, intelligent robots collaborating to explore vast regions of the seafloor could reshape the way we study the ocean. Such innovations are critical for future research into climate change, as they could help monitor changes in deep-sea ecosystems and understand how these changes affect global ocean health. Furthermore, as we advance our understanding of the deep sea, we will also be better equipped to search for new resources and understand the ocean’s role in Earth’s carbon cycle.
Orpheus is more than just a technological marvel; it’s a glimpse into the future of ocean exploration. By using technology that was once reserved for space missions and adapting it for use in the depths of the ocean, scientists are opening new frontiers that promise to expand our knowledge of the Earth and beyond. With continued research and innovation, Orpheus and similar vehicles could one day provide answers to the questions we’ve long asked about our planet, its ecosystems, and the potential for life elsewhere in the universe.