Scientists from Rutgers University, a Mid-Atlantic partner of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®), recently launched a second test mission, called “Challenger,” aimed at sending the first unmanned, underwater robotic vehicle--known as a “glider”--around the world.

The scientists launched the remote-controlled glider from South Africa and plan to fly it to northern Brazil, a mission that could last up to a year. In the first test mission, a glider went from Iceland to the Canary Islands. That glider is also now headed for Brazil.