Ocean Research Interactive Observatory Networks Project Office Manager Selected
Filed under: Discovery,News & Resources,Ocean Observing,Press Releases
Washington D.C. – The 1201 Group LLC, a partnership of the Joint Oceanographic Institutions (JOI) and the Consortium for Ocean Research and Education (CORE), has been selected to manage the Ocean Research Interactive Observatory Networks (ORION) Project Office.
The ORION ocean observatory network coordinates the science, technology, education, and outreach of an emerging network of science-driven ocean observatories. It will consist of three major components:
A global array of moorings that feature real-time data transmission via satellite.
A regional cabled observatory off the northwestern United States, where a fiber optic cable network will provide power and data transmission for a network of multi-sensor nodes.
A network of long term and movable observatories that will be placed in selected locations on the continental shelf and in the coastal zone.
Dr. Kenneth Brink, ORION Project Director, said, “The observatory concept represents an exciting, radically new way to go forward with ocean science in the 21st century. I am especially pleased that the project will be managed through the 1201 Group, because it allows us to tap the complementary strengths of both the JOI and CORE organizations.”
NSF will fund the ORION Project Office for a two-year period. During this time, the ORION Science Plan will be completed and a Project Execution Plan for the 5-year implementation and installation of the ocean observatory infrastructure will be developed.
Dr. Alexandra Isern, Program Director at the National Science Foundation(NSF), remarked, “At NSF we are very excited about the establishment of the ORION Project Office. This office will help focus community input into the design of the ORION Network and will also provide the structure to ensure that planning for this network moves forward. Once established, the ORION Network will provide the research community with the data needed to understand how ocean processes operate and how they influence our environment and society.”
The 1201 Group LLC is governed by a Board of Managers from JOI and CORE institutions and is advised by a network of science and technological advisory committees that will define scientific direction and engineering protocols for the ORION observatory network.
