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A world first: Ocean drone captures video from inside a hurricane

NOAA and Saildrone are collecting scientific data from inside
Hurricane Sam

Focus areas:
Research
Topics:
hurricanes
research drones
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September 30, 2021
Saildrone out on the ocean that was designed for hurricane data
collection.
NOAA and Saildrone Inc. are piloting five specially designed
saildrones in the Atlantic Ocean to gather data around the clock to
help understand the physical processes of hurricanes. (Saildrone
Inc.)

Saildrone Inc. and the NOAA have released the first video footage
gathered by an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) from inside a major
hurricane barreling across the Atlantic Ocean. 

The Saildrone Explorer SD 1045 was directed into the midst of
Hurricane Sam, a category 4 hurricane, which is currently on a path
that fortunately will miss the U.S. east coast.  SD1045 is battling
50 foot waves and winds of over 120 mph to collect critical
scientific data and, in the process, is giving us a completely new
view of one of earth's most destructive forces.

Video footage from on board Saildrone 1045 in Hurricane Sam on Sept.
30, 2021. Note: Video is silent. Saildrone unable to record sound.

Equipped with a specially designed "hurricane wing," enabling it to
operate in extreme wind conditions, SD 1045 is braving Hurricane Sam
in the open ocean, collecting real-time observations for numerical
hurricane prediction models, which are expected to yield new insights
into how large and destructive tropical cyclones grow and intensify.

SD 1045 is one of a fleet of five 'hurricane' Saildrones that have
been operating in the Atlantic Ocean during hurricane season,
gathering data around the clock to help understand the physical
processes of hurricanes. This knowledge is critical to improving
storm forecasting and is expected to reduce loss of human life by
allowing better preparedness in coastal communities.

"Saildrone is going where no research vessel has ever ventured,
sailing right into the eye of the hurricane, gathering data that will
transform our understanding of these powerful storms," said Richard
Jenkins, Saildrone founder and CEO. "After conquering the Arctic and
Southern Ocean, hurricanes were the last frontier for Saildrone
survivability. We are proud to have engineered a vehicle capable of
operating in the most extreme weather conditions on earth."

The Saildrones provide data directly to NOAA's Pacific Marine
Environmental Laboratory and Atlantic Oceanographic and
Meteorological Laboratory, Saildrone's partners in this mission.

"Using data collected by saildrones, we expect to improve forecast
models that predict rapid intensification of hurricanes," said Greg
Foltz, a NOAA scientist. "Rapid intensification, when hurricane winds
strengthen in a matter of hours, is a serious threat to coastal
communities. New data from saildrones and other uncrewed systems that
NOAA is using will help us better predict the forces that drive
hurricanes and be able to warn communities earlier."

Video footage from on board Saildrone 1045 and animation showing
location in Hurricane Sam on Sept. 30, 2021. Note: Video is silent.
Saildrone unable to record sound.

Media contacts

Monica Allen, NOAA Communications, monica.allen@noaa.gov,
202-379-6693

Susan Ryan, Saildrone Inc., susan.ryan@saildrone.com, 314-914-5008

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Last updated September 30, 2021
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