The SeaOrbiter: The next generation of ocean exploration

The SeaOrbiter

Whilst the oceans cover over two-thirds of the Earth's surface, they contain 99 percent of the living space on the planet and are home to almost 80 percent of all life on Earth. Remarkably, we have only explored 10 percent of that space, however French architect Jacques Rougerie is hoping to change that with his futuristic oceanographic station - The SeaOrbiter.

Not just a scientific laboratory, The SeaOrbiter is also the world's first vertical ship, standing 170 feet (51m) tall, allowing explorers an unique view of life below the waves. What is also unique about the vessel, is that two-thirds of its structure remain underwater, giving the craft buoyancy as well a "fish-collection system for studies of the pelagic ecosystem, plankton biodiversity, and fish stocks."

Ambitious project

The project has drawn acclaim in France, with the French State Minister of Ecology and the Sea, Jean-Louis Borloo naming the SeaOrbiter as one of the leading tools for his "Grenelle de la Mer", saying the oceanic platform would be essential for better understanding the ocean. President Sarkozy has even mentioned the project in a speech over the summer, winning it the backing of companies such as DCNS, the shipbuilder, and Thalès, the defence electronics group.

As you'd expect however, it is not a cheap venture. Rougerie, whose love of the oceans is driving him to launch half a dozen of the vessels, says he has half the the US$52.7 million needed to build the prototype, however he is confident that support will be forthcoming.

Speaking to The Times, Mr Rougerie said the SeaOrbiter would become an essential tool in exploring the world's oceans and an useful base to study the link between global warming and the oceans, which absorb about a quarter of all carbon emissions.

"At the moment, they [oceanographers] can dive only for short periods before they have to be brought back to the surface. It is as though they were taken to study the Amazon jungle and then helicoptered away again after an hour," he said.

"SeaOrbiter will provide a permanent mobile presence with a window to what is under the surface of the sea."

Underwater space station

Comparisons have been made between The SeaOrbiter and the International Space Station (ISS), fuelled no doubt my rumours that both NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) are interested in using it. Not just that, but Jean-Loup Chrétien, the first French astronaut, is involved in the design of the ship and its anti-collision system is based on the one used by the ISS.

Using ocean currents and wind to explore the oceans, SeaOrbiter would be unique among underwater sea stations, such as Aquarius near Key Largo in Florida, due to the fact that its mobile. Crewed by six crew members, six scientists and room for six others (perhaps astronauts in training?), the SeaOrbiter would drift across the oceans, whilst research is done below the waves. Only the lookout deck, navigation department and communications would rise about the sea, whilst the research decks would be pressurised to enable the scientists to do daily dives and other scientific missions.

"It's only in the last 50 years that we have found out that there are seasons under water, with plants flowering, with deserts, forests and an intense life. The food and medicines of the future will come from the ocean. We're now starting to realise that oceans have a major role in the fragile equilibrium of our planet." Rougerie added.

Currently, tests in Norway are being conducted on the hull design to ensure that when construction finally begins, the ship will be ready to weather whatever the seas throw at it.

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