The expedition will study Titanic using state-of-the-art submersible robots affectionately named Hercules, Argus and Little Herc (short for Hercules). These robots will enable forensic experts and microbiologists to examine the ship's condition.
Argus
Argus and Little Herc are designed to operate together. Argus, the tow sled, hangs on the end of a long cable dangling from the ship. Argus is maneuvered primarily by moving the ship and raising and lowering the cable. Thrusters (electric motors with propellers) on Argus allow the pilot to aim its lig hts and cameras toward sites of interest and Little Herc.
Little Herc
Little Herc is a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), intended primarily for gathering high-quality video images of underwater artifacts. There are no people on board, but Little Herc allows a pilot and other observers aboard the ship to experience visiting the bottom of the ocean as though they were there. Little Herc has a buoyancy module to make it neutrally buoyant in seawater. That means its density is close to that of seawater, so gravity has little effect on the vehicle when it is submerged, and a small downward force from the thrusters will drive the vehicle toward the bottom.
Four thrusters allow the pilot to maneuver Little Herc freely, as long as the tether going back to Argus does not become taut. The length of the tether is about 30 meters (100 feet). Little Herc carries a very special high-definition video camera to provide as much detail as possible to the observers on the ship and elsewhere. Argus and Little Herc also were used to explore ancient shipwrecks and possible submerged habitation sites.
Hercules
Hercules is attached to a "gantry" or aluminum base and anchored to the ocean floor. Using an underwater manipulator arm, Hercules will excavate and produce images of the site. Sensors attached to the ROV will gather data on water current, temperature and oxygen conditions.
