AutoSSCOPE: Autonomous Seabed and Sediment Characterization and Oceanic Probe Exploration

Problem: the need to conduct geophysic studies of the seabed is vital for research, offshore infrastructure design, and military purposes.  Much can be learned about the characterization of sediments by analyzing the acoustic properties; additional sensors can be added to the platform.  Time is also of the essence in some scenarios - a solution that involves special, logistics-intensive handling only further complicates an already complicated study.  The market lacks a well integrated multi-sensor platform that is either autonomous or expendable (i.e. very low cost).Solution: Since the desired operating depth is up to 4000m, a tethered solution seems cumbersome and time consuming.  A more efficient in-situ solution would involve an autonomous device that can free-fall to depth, collect data, then return to the surface and await pickup.  AutoSSCOPE will be an autonomous free-fall platform. Upon reaching the sea floor, a combination of sensors will begin collecting data and saving it locally to AutoSSCOPE's memory.  These collections include acoustic measurements, temperature, conductivity, and optical. It also contains an augur to penetrate the floor and measure torque resistance continuously as the floor is penetrated.  AutoSSCOPE remains on the seabed floor until collection is complete, running on internal batteries for power.  Once the mission is complete, AutoSSCOPE disconnects from the steel augur, changing its bouyance, and floats to the surface due to positive bouyancy.  Upon reaching the surface, it collects a GPS sample then sends out a radio signal indicating its location and that it is ready for pick-up.