Japan Marine Science and Technology center (JAMSTEC) developed afull ocean depth research ROV (remotely operated vehicle),“KAIKO”, whose construction started in January, 1991, andwhose sea trial was carried out from May, 1993 to March, 1995. The seatrial had three separated phases, that is, the first test at 1000 m deepocean near the main land of Japan, the second test at Nansei ShotoTrench of 6500 m deep, and the final test at Mariana Trench in order toconfirm the capability of the system at the deepest ocean bottom onEarth. The original plan for the final sea trial had been scheduled inJuly, 1993, however, it was delayed by some troubles. The main troublewas on the data transmission through a secondary cable between alauncher and a vehicle of “KAIKO”. After clearing up allcauses of the troubles, the authors carried out the sea trial again atMariana Trench in March, 1995, and succeeded in the deepest challenge.This paper described the feature of “KAIKO” and the resultof the sea trial
展开▼
