AQUANAUTS are set to live in an underwater sea base in a bid to unlock the secrets of the ocean.
There have been a number of mind-blowing efforts to put humans underwater for prolonged periods – but now British firm DEEP is hoping to make it a reality.
Vanguard is set to be the first operational subsea human habitat.
The base is designed for up to four crew members to live on for seven days or more.
Creators DEEP say it’ll allow scientists to stay at the bottom of the ocean for long periods and do in-depth research like than ever before without needing to return to the surface regularly.
This could unlock new knowledge about coral reefs – and may even help astronauts training for future space missions.
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The steel construction is only 12.1m long and 3.7m wide, operating at a depth of 50m.
Inside, there are individual bunks for scientists to sleep, along with a galley to cook food, as well as a toilet pod.
There’s also a diving centre spot for inhabitants to change into their gear and safely exit to explore the ocean.
DEEP Sentinel
Deep has been working on a number of other undersea projects, including one called Sentinel.
The firm unveiled plans for the habitat, dubbed an underwater “city”, that could house people at depths of 650ft for up to 28 days at a time.
As well as a place to carry out experiments, a big part of the experience will also be enjoying stunning views of the ocean.
Guests will be able to look out at the deep sea – including through giant windows right at the foot of the bed.
Speaking to ITV News earlier this year, DEEP President Sean Wolpert said: “What we’re trying to do is reconnect humanity with the sea.
“This is the alien world that we need to have a better understanding of.”
Sentinel could go into service as soon as 2027.
LIVING UNDERWATER – HOW DOES IT WORK?
Here’s how Deep’s director of scientific research Dawn Kernagis explains ‘saturation’…
“The basic principle that allows humans to live underwater is called saturation. Here’s how it works,” Dawn said.
“Once a diver has been at a particular depth for a long enough period of time, their body will become ‘saturated’.
“That means the body has absorbed all of the dissolved gases it’s going to at that pressure.
“The tissues in the body are in equilibrium with the partial pressures of the inert gases present in the diver’s breathing gas (for example, nitrogen in air, or helium in heliox).
“The diver will still need to go through a long decompression to safely return to the surface, letting those gases release slowly to minimize the risk of decompression sickness, also known as ‘the bends’.
“But once saturation is reached, the diver can stay at the bottom for days, weeks, and months without needing any additional decompression time.
“All they need is a place to stay down there and the basics to sustain life (food, water, oxygen).”
Picture Credit: Deep
