Glider Fleet

Marine technology at the service of Mediterranean research

See deployed gliders

Access collected data

ICTS SOCIB Glider Fleet

Gliders are autonomous vehicles, small unmanned submarines about 2 meters long and weighing 60 kilos.

Gliders are equipped with a set of sensors capable of measuring temperature, conductivity, fluorescence, chlorophyll, oxygen, and turbidity, from the surface to depths of up to 1,000 meters.

These ocean data help to understand physical and biogeochemical processes at different spatial and temporal scales.

Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Can integrate a large number of sensors for Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs), such as hydrophones.

Can send and receive data in real-time thanks to its antenna, which connects via Iridium satellite to the control center and the glider pilot.

Can send collected data and change its configuration in real-time.

Travels long distances and carries out long-duration missions, even up to three months.

Capable of diving up to 1,000 meters.

Able to operate in the most extreme conditions (even in the middle of a hurricane) and in steep and difficult-to-access marine profiles.

Consumes very little energy, moves by gliding, changing its density, and does not have a propeller.

See the gliders currently deployed in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Access the metocean data collected in the glider missions

The data can be downloaded in NetCDF and KMZ formats. It is also possible to view the progress of each mission and figures related to observations, access the interactive profile viewer, or represent the data with the Dapp application.

Access

The ICTS SOCIB offers access to the Glider Fleet Facility to public research groups and the private sector, belonging to national or international communities.

Check the conditions to apply for access to the Glider Fleet

Contact the team

Nikolaos Zarokanellos

Scientist in charge of the Glider Fleet Facility

Albert Miralles Brunet

Chief Engineer of the Glider Fleet Facility

Manuel Rubio Fernández

Glider Technician

Patricia Rivera Rodríguez

Glider Technician

Contact now

Collaboration Networks

The Glider Fleet Facility actively participates in competitive international, European, national, and regional projects. The ICTS SOCIB's Glider Fleet has also received numerous awards from institutions and organizations committed to marine R&D&I.

Funding

The acquisition of the two glider units sl3U1063 and sl3U1064 is part of the project EQC2021-007698-P, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union "NextGenerationEU"/PRTR.