The Explorer^TM project teams the NREC with the New York Gas Group (NYGAS), NASA and the Department of Energy in a three phase program to produce a teleoperated long-range untethered video-inspection of live distribution gas-mains.

• ‘Live’ pipeline long-range visual inspection for corrosion, leakage and debris in one access
  
• Preventive maintenance and job-planning system for urban distribution lines
  
• Potential to reduce costly annual emergency leakage repairs in highly populated metropolitan & urban areas
  
• Large potential for repair-cost reduction through proper repair-method selection based on visual inspection applicable to many emergency repairs nationwide

Explorer^TM will have the following advantages over existing gas-main inspection systems:

• Travels longer distances from one access without interrupting service
  
• Can pass through straight and elbowed pipe
  
• Automotive in both 6″ and 8″ gas-mains.
  
• Relatively quick to deploy
  
• Untethered