Jackson and Tull (J&T), in cooperation with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), intends to advance the state of the art in oceanographic observing system technology to meet the increasing demand for accurate and timely oceanographic data acquisition. Accurate modeling of the Earth's environment depends on surface-based measurments to verify and augment Mission To Planet Earth (MTPE) satellite data. Establishing an ocean-based instrument network is particularly difficult due to the harsh oceanographic environment. We propose to merge the latest technology in satellite communications, oceanographic sensors, buoys, and moorings to create a breakthrough in buoy technology for long term earth observing activities. In Phase I the team will establish the engineering requirements of the buoy subsystems and sensors. This will be accomplished through analyses of the operating environment, data acquisition and processing requirements, and the science needs of the user community. The output of Phase I will be a conceptual design of the modular subsystems and the choice of a science mission for proof of concept. Phase II will encompass the development of an operational buoy prototype based on the Phase I conceptual design.
Potential Commercial Applications: There is a market for commercially available data, including oceanographic data, from privately built satellites (e.g., SeaWiFS). This market also includes data collected at the ocean surface using buoy systems and distributed via commercially available store-and-forward data collection spacecraft (e.g., the recently launched FAISAT). As new and innovative requests for data collection arise, Jackson and Tull intends to produce products to meet those needs. The advanced development funded under the STTR Program will provide the Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) required to bring the Jackson and Tull R&D and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution research products to the commericial market in a reasonable time, at which point Jackson and Tull will have the expertise and financial strength to pursue this commercially.
