Science & Tech

ROV Little Hercules

ROV Little Hercules
Ocean Exploration Trust

The ROV Little Hercules is a smaller sister to Hercules, designed to function similarly, with Argus or Atalanta but with a focus on gathering high-quality video imagery. Little Hercules is equipped with a high-definition or 4k video camera, LED lights, and basic sensors for navigation and situational awareness.  Little Hercules was originally built in 2000, and was extensively refurbished and upgraded to 6000 meter capability in 2019.

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ROV Little Hercules At-a-Glance

General

  • DEPTH CAPABILITY 6,000 meters (19,685 feet)
  • TETHER 30–45 meters (98.4–147.6 feet), 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) diameter, neutrally buoyant
  • SIZE 1.4 meters long × 1.0 meters wide × 1.2 meters tall
  • WEIGHT 400 kilograms (900 pounds) in air.  100 lbs payload
  • MAXIMUM TRANSIT SPEED 2 knots
  • ASCENT/DESCENT RATE 20–30 meters/minute, (65–98 feet/minute) max
  • PROPULSION Four Tecnadyne Model 1020 thrusters for heading control

Imaging & Lighting

  • CAMERAS
    • High definition or Ultra High Definition
    • Two mini utility cameras (fixed mounted) 480 line NTSC format
  • LIGHTING 
    • Four Deepsea Power and Light LED Spherelights

Vehicle Sensors & Navigation

  • HEADING Lord Microstrain 3DM-GX5-25 Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS)
  • PRESSURE SENSOR Paroscientific Digiquartz 8CB series
  • ALTIMETER Valeport VA500 500Khz Altimeter 
  • FORWARD-LOOKING SONAR TriTech Super SeaPrince 675 kHz, 50 meter (164 feet) range

Scientific Instrument Support

  • POWER 110 V 60 Hz AC, 24 VDC and 12 VDC power options
  • DIGITAL DATA CHANNELS  RS-232 serial

Remotely Operated Vehicle Positioning

The ROV systems are outfitted with an ultrashort baseline (USBL) navigation system compatible with the operational platform and scientific requirements. 

  • USBL NAVIGATION Sonardyne Ranger II  or TrackLink 5000

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