TrackLink 5000 Joins Dr. Robert Ballard’s Return to Titanic
Dr. Ballard's Institute for Exploration recently purchased a TrackLink 5000 system with 3 TN5010C transponders from LinkQuest. These transponders use directional transducers with 60 degrees of beamwidth. The transmitter power level of the transponder is 16 dB lower than the high power TN5015 series of transponders. The TrackLink 5000 system was used to simultaneously track ROV HERCULES and the towsled ARGUS during the two and a half week expedition. It was used to track the vehicles at water depths of 3850 meters from NOAA's ship Ronald H. Brown. The system's accuracy was confirmed during the expedition.
The scientific expedition, led by Dr. Ballard to assess the causes of deterioration of the wreck of Titanic, was conducted in June, 2004 with partners from NOAA's Office of Exploration, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, The University of Rhode Island's new Institute for Archeological Oceanography, the National Geographic Society and National Geographic Channel and the JASON Project. For more on the Return to Titanic mission go to mysticaquarium.org or returntotitanic.org.
