The utrgv component of the project will focus on telecontrolled and adaptive sample collection to enable the science mission of the proposal and the integration of sensed parameters into the…

This federal contract is a $230,526.58 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Shared Services Center to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). The contract supports telecontrolled and adaptive sample collection to enable the scientific mission of the proposal and integration of sensed parameters into the sampling system control scheme. UTRGV faculty member John Breier will be responsible for remotely operated vehicle (ROV) sampling system integration and application, using the SUPR sampling system he developed, for microbial and geochemical sample collection. Breier will also develop and test adaptive and autonomous sampling system algorithms, and participate in cruise activities via telepresence. The contract does not have a set-aside designation and will be completed by June 30, 2022. UTRGV is a public university and Hispanic-Serving Institution within the University of Texas System, which has previously performed research and development work for federal agencies like the Department of Defense and Department of Energy.

The utrgv component of the project will focus on telecontrolled and adaptive sample collection to enable the science mission of the proposal and the integration of sensed parameters into the sampling system control scheme. Breier will be responsible for ROV sampling system integration and application, particularly using the supr sampling system he developed, that will be used for microbial and geochemical sample collection during both cruises. Breier will work with all CO-PIS to ensure all sampling needs are met. Breier will also be responsible for the development and testing of adaptive and autonomous sampling system algorithms that will be used with these engineered systems, as well as particle and oxygen sensing. Breier will participate in the cruise mobilizations to ensure sampling systems are operational and installed properly for each cruise and will send a trained postdoc or master GRA on each cruise to work with german (whoi) in the field to ensure successful operation during the cruise. Breier will participate in cruise activities via telepresence. Breier will work with LIM (NASA) and project CO-PIS to synthesize the results. Breier will be assisted by a postdoctoral investigator who will be partially (equally) supported by this project and a complimentary NSF project to deploy the new clio biogeochemical AUV at the bermuda atlantic time series station, which will provide another year of salary and research support for a total of two years of salary support split between the two projects.