Research Ship Sally Ride to be Officially Named by Navy and UC San Diego
The research vessel R/V Sally Ride, named in honour of the groundbreaking American astronaut, is set to embark on a new chapter in oceanographic research. Commissioned by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, this state-of-the-art vessel will continue the legacy of exploration and scientific advancement symbolised by Sally Ride's pioneering contributions to space exploration.
The R/V Sally Ride is designed to serve as a platform for advanced marine scientific research. It will enable oceanographers and other scientists to conduct studies that require extended time at sea, including physical, chemical, biological, and geological oceanography. Equipped with modern scientific instruments and facilities, the vessel is ready to support multidisciplinary research missions.
Launched in the 2010s as a new class of research vessels known as the Regional Class Research Vessels, the R/V Sally Ride is well-suited for coastal and offshore research missions. Scripps Oceanography will operate the vessel, utilising it to advance understanding of ocean systems and address environmental challenges such as climate change, ocean health, and biodiversity.
The R/V Sally Ride is not just a symbol of exploration and discovery; it is also a testament to modern technology. The vessel boasts new information technology tools for shipboard monitoring and global communication, ensuring that research findings can be shared instantly with the global scientific community.
In a ceremony scheduled for August 9 at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed in Anacortes, Washington, the Navy will christen the R/V Sally Ride. The event will be a celebration of exploration and discovery, reflecting the spirit of Sally Ride's pioneering achievements. Kathryn Sullivan, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, will deliver the ceremony's principal address.
The R/V Sally Ride is a member of the Neil Armstrong-class, and it shares many of the same advanced features. It has a modern suite of oceanographic equipment, including state-of-the-art acoustic equipment for deep ocean mapping, and advanced over-the-side handling gear for scientific instruments. The vessel is also U.S. flagged and staffed by a professional crew.
The R/V Sally Ride will be operated through the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) for the benefit of the entire U.S. academic research community. UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla expressed appreciation for the Navy's confidence in UC San Diego's stewardship of the vessel.
Sally Ride, for whom the vessel is named, served as director of NASA's Office of Exploration and the California Space Institute at University of California San Diego. Her legacy lives on in this new research vessel, which promises to push the boundaries of oceanographic research and contribute significantly to our understanding of the world's oceans.
The R/V Sally Ride will conduct oceanographic research, including studies in physical, chemical, biological, and geological oceanography. This aligns with climate science, as the vessel's mission includes addressing environmental challenges such as climate change. The R/V Sally Ride is equipped with modern technology, featuring information technology tools for shipboard monitoring and global communication, reflecting advancements in space-and-astronomy and technology. The vessel's multidisciplinary research missions demonstrate its role in the broader field of science.
