New Windows into the Ocean: Enabling Next- Generation Ocean Observing Systems

Working in the ocean is difficult, and deceptively simple questions such as 'how will changing CO2 levels effect the biota in the deep ocean?' require the best scientific and engineering talent to work cooperatively to obtain answers. However, in this period of rapid technological change, the threshold for participation is rising. Individual research groups must master increasingly complex technologies to successfully field powerful but costly instrumentation. Without a strong supporting infrastructure, new sensors and platforms are difficult to develop, and once created, remain relatively inaccessible to most of the oceanographic community. This leaves many creative minds in the oceanographic community unable to participate in the use of exciting new platforms and technologies. Oceanographic facilities have the potential to break this impasse, and provide the mechanism to couple new technological capabilities with the great science questions of the time.