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Nereus Specifications

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Technical specifications

Weight on land: 2,800 kg
Payload capacity: 45 kg
Maximum speed: 3 knots
Batteries: rechargable lithium ion, 15 kilowatt hours in two pressure housings
Thrusters: 2 fore and aft, 2 vertical, 1 lateral (ROV mode)
2 fore and aft, 1 vertical (AUV mode)
Lights: variable output LED array, strobes
Manipulator arm:  Kraft TeleRobotics 7-function hydraulic manipulator
Sonar: scanning sonar, forward look and profile, 675 KHz
Sensors: magnetometer, CTD (to measure conductivity, temperature, and depth)

Nereus will support a variety of science operations

Push coring:  Push cores allow collection of relatively undisturbed sediment from the seafloor for a record of sedimentation over time. Nereus offers standard coring devices.

Measuring heat flow:  The measurement of heat flow records the amount of heat emerging from Earth's interior. A heat-flow probe is available for controlled pushing into seafloor sediment by the vehicle's manipulator arm. 

Geotechnical and geochemical sensing:  Sensors measure pore pressure in sediments, fluid properties at various temperatures, and basic chemistry in the ocean.

Rock sampling and drilling:  Rocks collected from the seafloor help scientists understand how Earth was formed. Nereus  samples rocks of various mineralogic composition and grain size. New, small-scale drilling tools might be adapted for use on Nereus.

Biological sampling:  Nereus supports the use of small suction samplers, nets, and the traditional "bio" boxes for sample storage and recovery of deep-sea organisms.

Water sampling:  Nereus offers both hot and cold water sampling while monitoring the temperature of these fluids in real-time. 

High resolution acoustic bathymetry:  Nereus can be used for making seafloor maps and locating target sites for sampling or experiments.

Optical still and video imagery:  Detailed photographs and videos of the seafloor provide a record of features and processes.

Nereus basic design philosophy

  • Build on previous experience when possible.
  • Identify risks and aggressively address early in the project.
  • Integrate into ongoing National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF) operational and WHOI technology developments.
  • Limit operational team support to five people.
  • Minimize weight and power to keep core system to two 20-foot shipping containers.