The waters of the world ocean have welcomed a groundbreaking new explorer. On October 10, 2025, *Redwing*, an autonomous underwater vehicle roughly the size of a surfboard, embarked on an ambitious five-year circumnavigation of the globe. This monumental undertaking, known as the *Sentinel Mission*, marks the first time a fully autonomous underwater glider has attempted a continuous, uncrewed voyage following a path inspired by the historic 16th-century global journey of Ferdinand Magellan. This mission represents a significant leap forward in understanding our planet's largest ecosystem.
This pioneering project is the result of a collaboration between *Teledyne Webb Research* and *Rutgers University (USA)*, receiving crucial backing from major scientific bodies including *NOAA* and *NASA*, among others. The core objective of the mission is to continuously monitor and collect data on the state of the oceans across its entire planned route, which spans a staggering distance of more than 73,000 kilometers.
*Redwing* is specifically classified as a *Slocum Sentinel* glider, measuring 2.57 meters in length. Crucially, it operates without a conventional propeller. Its unique method of propulsion involves subtly altering its buoyancy—a highly efficient process often likened to the glider “breathing” the water. This mechanism allows the apparatus to traverse thousands of kilometers while consuming minimal energy resources, making long-duration missions feasible.
The glider's epic route is designed to cover the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, tracing historical maritime pathways used by explorers for centuries. The itinerary includes planned intermittent stops near the coasts of *Cape Town*, *Western Australia*, and *Chile*. These locations serve as essential checkpoints along humanity’s traditional sea lanes, ensuring the mission follows a proven, albeit challenging, global trajectory.
Equipped with a suite of next-generation sensors, *Redwing* is tasked with measuring critical oceanic parameters: *temperature*, *salinity*, *water chemistry*, and *ocean currents*. These measurements are being taken in deep-sea zones rarely accessed by conventional research vessels. The glider transmits this invaluable data via satellite in real-time, providing scientists and environmentalists with a unique, continuous stream of information essential for climate modeling and ecological preservation efforts.
This mission unequivocally heralds a *new era of autonomous oceanic research*. Dr. *Oscar Schulenberg* from *Rutgers University* emphasizes the profound meaning of the endeavor: "Redwing is not merely a machine. It symbolizes a new phase of oceanography, where humans and technology are learning to listen to the planet's breath." By providing unprecedented access to deep-sea data, *Redwing* is setting a benchmark for future exploration. It is inspiring the next generation of researchers—those who perceive the ocean not as an unknowable abyss, but as the dynamic, living heart of Earth. The glider has become the bearer of knowledge, illuminating the depths where humanity is only just beginning to hear its own reflected sound.