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2018 Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) TPOS Saildrone Mission

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This dataset contains near-real time data from the Saildrone core sensors for the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) TPOS 2018 Mission (Mission 2) to the central equatorial Pacific (0, 140W). PMEL TPOS 2018 Mission (aka Mission 2) had four Saildrones: SD1005 and SD1006 were Gen 4 drones, and SD1029 and SD1030 were Gen 5 drones equipped with a larger wing designed for equatorial work. The drones were each equipped with full atmospheric and ocean core sensor suite, and an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). SD1029 and SD1030 also carried shortwave and longwave radiation (included in core set) and an ASVCO2 carbon flux and pH system. SD1029 had 3 strap-on SBE56 temperature sensors (at 0.35m, 1.16m, and 1.72m) to study the near-surface stratification. The vehicles were deployed out of Honolulu, HI on October 3, 2018. After sailing near a PMEL Carbon mooring in Kaneohe Bay, HI, the drones proceeded to the Tropical Atmosphere/Ocean (TAO) mooring at 9N, 140W. Three drones completed a circuit around the mooring, and then began their transit south towards the equator. Two drones made it to the equator and sailed near the TAO moorings at 0, 140W. Three Saildrones were recovered in Honolulu on 01-27-19. SD1030 was recovered in HI later in the spring of 2019.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Zhang, Dongxiao; Cronin, Meghan F.; Meinig, Christian; Farrar, J. Thomas; Jenkins, Richard; Peacock, David; Keene, Jennifer; Sutton, Adrienne J.; Yang, Qiong; NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory; NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (2025). 2018 Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) TPOS Saildrone Mission. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/PMEL-TPOS_Saildrone_2018. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

gov.noaa.nodc:PMEL-TPOS_Saildrone_2018

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:PMEL-TPOS_Saildrone_2018

Full Text · XML

Search Data	Granule Search (search) Search for data granules belonging to this collection (a granule is the smallest aggregation of data that can be independently described and retrieved).
Distribution Formats	netCDF (Version: netCDF-3) File Specification: ACDD-1.3, CF-1.6, COARDS
Ordering Instructions	Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov

Time Period	2018-10-03 to 2019-09-24
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -163.155686 East: -139.07031 South: -1.146804 North: 22.79755
Spatial Coverage Map

General Documentation

NCEI Dataset Landing Page
Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.

Associated Resources

Zhang, D., Cronin, M., Meing, C., Farrar, J. T., Jenkins, R., Peacock, D., Keene, J., Sutton, A., & Yang, Q. (2019). Comparing Air-Sea Flux Measurements from a New Unmanned Surface Vehicle and Proven Platforms During the SPURS-2 Field Campaign. Oceanography, 32(2), 122–133. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2019.220
- https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2019.220
  related journal article
PMEL Ocean Climate Stations: Saildrone Data Access
- https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/ocs/saildrone/data-access (search)
  online data access

Publication Dates	publication: 2025-02-20 revision: 2025-02-21 creation: 2024-09-25
Data Presentation Form	Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status	Complete - production of the data has been completed Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency	As needed
Purpose	The PMEL TPOS 2018 Mission (aka Mission 2) had four Saildrones: SD1005 and SD1006 were Gen 4 drones, and SD1029 and SD1030 were Gen 5 drones equipped with a larger wing designed for equatorial work. The drones were each equipped with full atmospheric and ocean core sensor suite, and an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) (not included in this file). SD1029 & SD1030 also carried shortwave and longwave radiation (included in core set) and an ASVCO2 carbon flux and pH system; these carbon data are served in a separate file. SD1029 had 3 strap-on SBE56 temperature sensors (at 0.35m, 1.16m, and 1.72m) to study the near-surface stratification. The vehicles were deployed out of Honolulu, HI on October 3, 2018. After sailing near a PMEL Carbon mooring in Kaneohe Bay, HI, the drones proceeded to the Tropical Atmosphere/Ocean (TAO) mooring at 9N, 140W. Three drones completed a circuit around the mooring, and then began their transit south towards the equator. Two drones made it to the equator and sailed near the TAO moorings at 0, 140W. Three Saildrones were recovered in Honolulu on 01-27-19. SD1030 was recovered in HI later in the spring of 2019.
Use Limitations	accessLevel: Public Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.

Dataset Citation	Cite as: Zhang, Dongxiao; Cronin, Meghan F.; Meinig, Christian; Farrar, J. Thomas; Jenkins, Richard; Peacock, David; Keene, Jennifer; Sutton, Adrienne J.; Yang, Qiong; NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory; NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (2025). 2018 Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) TPOS Saildrone Mission. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/PMEL-TPOS_Saildrone_2018. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Zhang, Dongxiao University of Washington Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Ocean, under grant from NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Cronin, Meghan F. NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Meinig, Christian NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Farrar, J. Thomas Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Jenkins, Richard Saildrone, Inc. Peacock, David Saildrone, Inc. Keene, Jennifer University of Washington Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Ocean, under grant from NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Sutton, Adrienne J. NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Yang, Qiong University of Washington Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Ocean, under grant from NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
Principal Investigators	Meghan Cronin NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) Dongxiao Zhang University of Washington Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO) Adrienne Sutton NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) Christian Meinig NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL)
Contributors	NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL)
Resource Providers	Andrew Evans NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)
Points of Contact	Eugene Berger NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Funding Agency: NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations Funding Agency: US DOC; NOAA; Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS AIR TEMPERATURE BAROMETRIC PRESSURE CHLOROPHYLL CHLOROPHYLL A CONCENTRATION Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) CONDUCTIVITY course over ground DISSOLVED OXYGEN irradiance LATITUDE LONGITUDE LONGWAVE IRRADIANCE OPTICAL BACKSCATTER OXYGEN - PERCENT SATURATION PERCENT OXYGEN RELATIVE HUMIDITY SALINITY SHORTWAVE IRRADIANCE speed over ground WATER TEMPERATURE WIND DIRECTION WIND GUST WIND SPEED Wind speed - east-west component (U) Wind speed - north-south component (V) NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS in situ WMO_CategoryCode oceanography Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC WATER VAPOR > WATER VAPOR INDICATORS > HUMIDITY > RELATIVE HUMIDITY EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC WINDS > SURFACE WINDS EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC WINDS > SURFACE WINDS > U/V WIND COMPONENTS EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC WINDS > SURFACE WINDS > WIND DIRECTION EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC WINDS > SURFACE WINDS > WIND SPEED EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > CHLOROPHYLL EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > ORGANIC MATTER EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > OXYGEN EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN OPTICS EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN OPTICS > IRRADIANCE EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN TEMPERATURE > WATER TEMPERATURE EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > SALINITY/DENSITY > CONDUCTIVITY EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > SALINITY/DENSITY > SALINITY Provider Keywords AIR TEMPERATURE - MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE - SD BAROMETRIC PRESSURE - MEAN BAROMETRIC PRESSURE - SD CDOM concentration - MEAN CDOM concentration SD CHLOROPHYLL Concentration - SD CONDUCTIVITY - Mean CONDUCTIVITY -SD Chlorophyll concentration - MEAN Distance 1005_1006 Distance 1005_1029 Distance 1005_1030 Distance 1006_1029 Distance 1006_1030 Distance 1029_1030 Downward Wind Velocity - MEAN Downward Wind Velocity - SD Downward wind speed - MEAN Downward wind speed - SD Heading Heading - Wing Longwave downwelling radation - MEAN Longwave downwelling radiation - SD OPTICAL BACKSCATTER - 650 nm - Mean OPTICAL BACKSCATTER - 650 nm - SD OXYGEN - PERCENT SATURATION - MEAN OXYGEN - PERCENT SATURATION - SD Oxygen Concentration - MEAN Oxygen Concentration - SD PHOTOSYNTHETIC ACTIVE RADIATION (PAR) - MEAN PHOTOSYNTHETIC ACTIVE RADIATION (PAR) - SD Pitch RELATIVE HUMIDITY - MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY - SD Roll SALINITY - MEAN SALINITY - SD SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE SD Shortwave Difffuse Radiation - SD Shortwave Diffuse Radiation - MEAN Shortwave Total Radiation - MEAN Shortwave Total Radiation - SD Shortwave total radiation measured as unmasked 6 detector - MEAN Shortwave total radiation measured as unmasked 6 detector average - SD Shortwave total radiation measured by unmasked center detector - MEAN Shortwave total radiation measured by unmasked center detector - SD Skin Temperature - MEAN Skin Temperature - SD Time WATER TEMPERATURE - MEAN WATER TEMPERATURE - SD WIND GUST - MEAN WIND GUST - SD Wind speed - east-west component (U) - MEAN Wind speed - east-west component (U) - SD Wind speed - north-south component (V) - MEAN Wind speed - north-south component (V) - SD Wing Angle
Data Center keywords	NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/OAR/PMEL > Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, OAR, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords Saildrone Platform Keywords Saildrone drone ID 1005 drone ID 1006 drone ID 1029 drone ID 1030 Provider Platform Names 5801952 5801953 5801954 5801955 Saildrone 1005 Saildrone 1006 Saildrone 1029 Saildrone 1030 SeaVoX Platform Categories autonomous surface water vehicle WMO Buoy ID 5801952 5801953 5801954 5801955
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS anemometer barometer clock CTD fluorometer GPS GPSP humidity sensor oxygen sensor PAR Sensor radiometer temperature sensor thermometer Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords ANEMOMETERS > ANEMOMETERS BAROMETERS > BAROMETERS CLOCKS CTD > Conductivity, Temperature, Depth FLUOROMETERS > FLUOROMETERS GPS RECEIVERS > GPS RECEIVERS GPSP > Global Positioning System Payload HUMIDITY SENSORS > HUMIDITY SENSORS OXYGEN METERS > OXYGEN METERS PAR SENSORS > Photosynthetically Active Radiation Sensors RADIOMETERS TEMPERATURE SENSORS > TEMPERATURE SENSORS THERMOMETERS > THERMOMETERS Provider Instruments AT/RH CTD/ODO/Chl-A IMU IR Thermometer Inertial Navigation System Longwave radiometer Onboard Computer Oxygen Optode SW Shaded Radiometer SW Unshaded Radiometer Shortwave Shaded Radiometer
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Equatorial Pacific Ocean Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN
Project keywords	NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS TROPICAL PACIFIC (TROPAC) Provider Project Names TPOS-2020 Saildrone Pilot Study
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0297635 0301266 0301267 0301268
Keywords	Send2NCEI Submission Package ID EYKNG4 JMHH9R MBJEJR YK6K5R

Use Constraints	Cite as: Zhang, Dongxiao; Cronin, Meghan F.; Meinig, Christian; Farrar, J. Thomas; Jenkins, Richard; Peacock, David; Keene, Jennifer; Sutton, Adrienne J.; Yang, Qiong; NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory; NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (2025). 2018 Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) TPOS Saildrone Mission. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/PMEL-TPOS_Saildrone_2018. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints	Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees	In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.

Lineage information for: series
Processing Steps	2025-02-20T21:50:39Z - NCEI Accession 0297635 v1.1 was published. 2025-02-20T23:12:36Z - NCEI Accession 0301266 v1.1 was published. 2025-02-21T20:42:50Z - NCEI Accession 0301267 v1.1 was published. 2025-02-21T20:51:42Z - NCEI Accession 0301268 v1.1 was published.

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	anemometer barometer clock CTD fluorometer GPS GPSP humidity sensor oxygen sensor PAR Sensor radiometer temperature sensor thermometer

Last Modified: 2026-04-06T18:00:41Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

2018 Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) TPOS Saildrone Mission

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