The Mayflower Autonomous Ship is the world’s first uncrewed research ship. In 2022, it became the first autonomous ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Now, it is being fitted for a series of research missions to honour the legacy of the first research vessel, HMS Challenger, 150 years ago.

HMS Challenger left Portsmouth on its groundbreaking expedition on December 21, 1872, and returned to Spithead, Hampshire, on May 24, 1876. The voyage lasted 1,000 days and covered more than 68,000 nautical miles. It is generally considered the first oceanographic expedition. The ship’s crew gathered data on temperature, currents, and water chemistry at 362 stations and discovered 4,717 new species of ocean life. It also sounded the ocean bottom to a depth of 8,184 meters(26,850ft), which is why the deepest point in the ocean is called the Challenger Deep.

Contrasting the HMS Challenger’s arduous journey, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship is set to visit 35 of the same stations in the summer of 2025. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, it will automatically measure a wide variety of ocean data and even broadcast live from each station. This means that science teams and the public can simply log-on to observe both live images and scientific data as the ship sails in the Atlantic Ocean, a feat that was unimaginable during the HMS Challenger’s time.

The upcoming mission of the Mayflower Autonomous Ship is not just about data collection. It’s a testament to the remarkable progress in oceanographic research since 1875. By showcasing the state-of-the-art technology and methods, the mission will enlighten us about the vast strides we’ve made in understanding our oceans.

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