Creating autonomous sensing platforms to unlock a new perspective on our oceans

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The Problem

Our understanding of the oceans is limited by our ability to observe. Satellites can only scratch the surface of our oceans and manned survey ships are prohibitively expensive. We need sensing platforms that can place sensors deep into the oceans twilight zone to collect data.

Our Solution

Second Star Robotics creates autonomous ocean observer platforms that can be deployed at scale at extremely low cost. Our long-endurance ocean observer platforms dive deep into the water column and ride oceanic currents to save power. We have developed several foundational technologies which enable practitioners to deploy sensors into the water column over days or months.

Our Products

General Purpose Buoyancy Engine

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Energy Aware Battery System

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Energy Aware Battery System

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General Purpose Deep Water Cameras

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General Purpose Deep Water Cameras

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Lighting for Observer Platforms

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General Purpose Deep Water Cameras

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Our Latest Instagram Posts:

secondstarrobotics

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Deploying robotic floats off San Diego. #oceanacoustics #scrippsinstitutionofoceanography #rvbobandbettybeyster

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Deploying robotic floats off San Diego. #oceanacoustics #scrippsinstitutionofoceanography #rvbobandbettybeyster ...

Testing an ultra-bright 12km rated underwater light we built for National Geographic. #sunsphere #blindedbythelight

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Testing an ultra-bright 12km rated underwater light we built for National Geographic. #sunsphere #blindedbythelight ...

Happy holidays from Second Star Robotics! #decorations

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Happy holidays from Second Star Robotics! #decorations ...

#pumpitup

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#pumpitup ...

New ‘Dropcam’ camera-based lander systems built for National Geographic and @natgeopristineseas! Originally designed by SSR engineers, these platforms collect 4K imagery of the sea floor from depths up to 22,000 feet below!

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#sensorplatform #oceanengineering #deepsea @cmikeshepard

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#sensorplatform #oceanengineering #deepsea @cmikeshepard ...

Cooking up something new! #robotics #kayak

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Cooking up something new! #robotics #kayak ...

Happy Friday everyone!#bowriders #dolphins #northatlantic

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Happy Friday everyone!#bowriders #dolphins #northatlantic ...

Having a great time at the Oceans conference today. Stop by booth 813 to learn about our sensor platform technology and say hi!
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#oceansfanatic #engineering #technology @cmikeshepard #oceans2022

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Stop by our booth next week at IEEE Oceans 2022 in Hampton Roads, VA! We'll be showcasing new deep-sea #sensorplatform technology. See you next week at #oceans2022!
#oceansfanatic #robots #engineering #oceans #oceantechnology

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Meet The Founders

In 2019 Eric Berkenpas and Mike Shepard departed National Geographic and Co-Founded Second Star Robotics in order to bring their extensive knowledge and experience to a new client audience.

Charles ‘Mike’ Shepard received a bachelor of science. degree in mechanical engineering from George Washington University. Mike is formerly the senior engineer in the National Geographic Exploration Technology Lab.

Mike Shepard

Eric Berkenpas received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering with a computer science minor from South Dakota State University and a master of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maine.

Eric Berkenpas

30+ Years Combined Experience

Founded by former National Geographic engineers, Mike Shepard and Eric Berkenpas, Second Star Robotics has over 30 years combined experience developing reliable tools to collect never-before-seen imagery and data from the deepest places in the ocean to the highest mountain peaks.

Creative Innovation

Second Star Robotics was founded to apply this unique set of world-class engineering and R&D skills towards the creation of innovative, field-ready systems for any terrestrial or marine environment. We are passionate about creating solutions for tough problems and apply a ‘nothing is impossible’ approach to obstacles.

Unique Consulting Services

To do this, Second Star Robotics provides unique consulting services from advice on sub-system design to deployment of complete end-to-end products. We combine state-of-the-art mechanical, electronic, and software development practices with the latest manufacturing techniques to deliver solutions to our customers at any scale, on time, and at low cost. Second Star Robotics serves a spectrum of markets from academic research and media production to utilities and energy and are always hungry for new challenges.