A view of the ATLAS autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) just before being lowered into the water. Here the AUV is about 6 meters (20 feet) above the water. At this moment, the AUV is in a quiet lake and in its pre-release position, where the vehicle and software are in their final check-out. In a moment, the lines will be released and the vehicle will be sent on its way to search the lake floor.
 ATLAS Launching
Image courtesy of Thunder Bay 2010 Expedition, NOAA-OER. Download larger version (jpg, 741 KB).

A view of the ATLAS autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) just before being lowered into the water. Here the AUV is about 6 meters (20 feet) above the water. At this moment, the AUV is in a quiet lake and in its pre-release position, where the vehicle and software are in their final check-out. In a moment, the lines will be released and the vehicle will be sent on its way to search the lake floor.

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