Update on the development and testing of a new long duration solar powered autonomous surface vehicle

This paper provides an update on the development and testing of a new long duration solar powered autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) for oceanographic and atmospheric scientific research missions. A fleet of three Ocean Atmosphere Sensor Integration System (OASIS) ASV platforms has been developed under a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide a low-cost, reusable, re-configurable, long-duration, ocean observing capability to support ongoing research in key areas such as carbon dioxide air-sea flux and phytoplankton productivity. A brief overview of ASV applications and related research and development is provided to highlight the motivation for the development of a new ASV platform. A description of the OASIS ASV platform and key development considerations is provided. A description of the supporting hardware and software technology and resulting system architecture for the onboard control system, payload system, and ground system is also discussed. A summary of platform integration, testing, and operations, as well as future research and development activities is presented.