Science & Tech
Technology:

ROV Little Hercules

ROV Little Hercules
Credit
Ocean Exploration Trust

The ROV Little Hercules is a smaller sister to Hercules, designed to function similarly, in a dual-body system with Argus or Atalanta, but with a focus on gathering high-quality video imagery. Little Hercules is equipped with a 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 6,000-meter capability in 2019.

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ROV Little Hercules At-a-Glance

General

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

Imaging & Lighting

    • MxD® SeaCam® 4k Camera from Deep Sea Power & Light   
    • Two mini utility cameras (fixed mounted) 480 line NTSC format
    • Ten Deepsea Power and Light LED Spherelights

Vehicle Sensors & Navigation

  •  Lord Microstrain 3DM-GX5-25 Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS)
  •  Paroscientific Digiquartz 8CB series
  •  Valeport VA500 500Khz Altimeter
  •  Kongsberg Mesotech 1071 scanning sonar, 675 kHz, 1–200 meter (3–656 feet) range typical

Scientific Instrument Support

  •  110 V 60 Hz AC, 24 VDC and 12 VDC power options
  •   RS-232 serial, Ethernet: 10/100/1,000 mbps links available

Remotely Operated Vehicle Positioning

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

  •  Sonardyne Ranger II  or TrackLink 5000