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JJ.G0ldD0t
13th June 2012, 10:33 AM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2158268/SeaOrbiter-Launch-set-floating-laboratory-worth-27-million-lives-permanently-sea.html


A live-aboard research laboratory that will drift permanently through the sea is poised to be launched as soon as next year.

The part-submarine, part-research vessel, called the SeaOrbiter is expected to cost around £27million ($43million) and will be 58 metres high - taller than London’s Nelson’s Column monument.

When launched, around half of the vessel will be below the water line, allowing for constant underwater study.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/13/article-2158268-1393BF76000005DC-788_634x359.jpg Fancy living in this? The SeaOrbiter, part submarine, part research vessel, will drift across the permanently across the seas


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/13/article-2158268-1393BF0F000005DC-256_634x364.jpg SeaOrbiter will drift with ocean currents but have power needed to avoid other ships and storms



http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/13/article-2158268-1393BF7E000005DC-802_634x362.jpg View from the top: The SeaOrbiter will soar 58m above the surface of the seas - higher than Nelson's Column

‘It's designed to explore the ocean in a new way, mainly spending time under the sea, giving people the opportunity to live under the sea for a very long time, to observe, to undertake research missions, like marine biology, oceanography and climate issues,’ the SeaOrbiter project's education and media director Ariel Fuchs told CNN (http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/11/tech/sea-orbiter/index.html?iid=article_sidebar).


More...

Watch the incredible video of the 'Robot tentacle' - the first stage of a $13m undersea rescue octopus (http://gold-silver.us/sciencetech/article-2102235/Suckers-Scientists-create-working-robotic-octopus-arm--aim-seven-working-year.html)


The designers hope to make their ambitious project close to self-sustainable.


It will drift with ocean currents, but when it needs power to avoid other ships and storms, it will draw on reserves from renewable energy, including solar, wind and wave power.

These sources will also be used to power its life-support systems.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/13/article-2158268-1393BF17000005DC-997_634x358.jpg Perhaps taking '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' as inspiration, SeaOrbiter will allow a permanent research facility in the middle of the ocean


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/13/article-2158268-1393BF85000005DC-949_634x368.jpg Overseas, underseas: The £27m base will be at least half under the waterline


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/13/article-2158268-1393C023000005DC-748_634x354.jpg Glowing in the abyss of the night: SeaOrbiter was suggested 12 years ago - but now it may become a reality by next year

The developers are also working with the European defense and space systems conglomerate EADS to develop a biofuel as the ship’s main power source, and are working with the European Space Agency to develop other technology needed for its onboard systems.

Taking its inspiration from ocean explorers like Jacques Cousteau – and perhaps the fictional Captain Nemo's Nautilus from ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ - the vessel is the concept of French architect Jacques Rougerie.

It is currently the centerpiece of France's pavilion at Expo 2012 in South Korea

Originally suggested almost 12 years ago, it recently completed its industrial design phase and construction is slated for October this year.

‘All technical issues are resolved, all the modeling is done,’ says Mr Fuchs said.

Monaco is planned as the ship's first port of call -- the same place where Jacques Cousteau began his missions.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2158268/SeaOrbiter-Launch-set-floating-laboratory-worth-27-million-lives-permanently-sea.html#ixzz1xhBeP03B

Awoke
13th June 2012, 11:37 AM
The part-submarine, part-research vessel... ...will be 58 metres high

When launched, around half of the vessel will be below the water line, allowing for constant underwater study.


View from the top: The SeaOrbiter will soar 58m above the surface of the seas - higher than Nelson's Column


Uhh, am I missing something?

How can it be 58 Meters high, and ride half-submerged, and still be 58 Meters above the surface of the sea?

chad
13th June 2012, 11:39 AM
solar, wave, and wind power huh? lol with that.

JohnQPublic
13th June 2012, 12:38 PM
solar, wave, and wind power huh? lol with that.

It mentioned biofuels, too. Maybe algae diesel?

iOWNme
13th June 2012, 12:40 PM
So really what this is is an underwater drone. They have everyting covered now: Air, land and Sea.

Maybe the new American Flag should be a drone flying over a peaceful family?

osoab
13th June 2012, 12:44 PM
It might launch if the EU doesn't implode first.

Horn
13th June 2012, 11:39 PM
Don't steer to close to Somalia.

It needs a couple Howitzers on the observation deck...