SeaOrbiter
{{Short description|Proposed oceangoing research vessel}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
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{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=SeaOrbiter Logo.png |Ship caption=Official Logo of the SeaOrbiter Project }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship type= Research/Semi-submersible |Ship displacement= |Ship length= |Ship beam= |Ship height={{convert|51|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship depth= |Ship hold depth= |Ship propulsion= |Ship speed= |Ship range= |Ship test depth= |Ship crew= |Ship armament= |Ship armor= |Ship notes= }} |
The SeaOrbiter, also known as Sea Orbiter (two words), is a proposed oceangoing research vessel based on the ideas of French architect and oceanographer Jacques Rougerie. Construction was due to start in 2014 but by May 2015, only the Eye of SeaOrbiter has been completed,{{cite web |url=http://seaorbiter.com/eye-of-seaorbiter-now-completed/ |title=Eye of SeaOrbiter Now Completed |website=SeaOrbiter.com |accessdate=11 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401014411/http://seaorbiter.com/eye-of-seaorbiter-now-completed/ |archivedate=1 April 2017}} and as of 2024, there is no news of any other construction.
The SeaOrbiter is planned to allow scientists and others a residential yet mobile research station positioned under the oceans' surface, with laboratories, workshops, living quarters and a pressurized deck to support divers and submarines.{{cite magazine |title=Nature: Open-Water Investigator |magazine=Boys' Life |last=Allen |first=J. B. |date=December 2011}}
SeaOrbiter is a project of the "Floating oceanographic laboratory" organisation. It is headed by Jacques Rougerie, oceanographer Jacques Piccard and astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien. In 2012 the cost was estimated to be around {{US$|52.7 million}}.{{cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/06/19/seaorbiter-to-begin-construction/ |title=SeaOrbiter to begin construction by year's end, project price tag clocks in at $52.7 million |work=Engadget |last=Steele |first=Billy |date=19 June 2012 |accessdate=20 June 2012}}
Description
As proposed, the laboratory would be a semi-submersible oceangoing craft weighing {{convert|1000|t|lb}}. It would have a total height of {{convert|51|m}} with {{convert|31|m}} below sea level.
It is designed to float vertically and drift with the ocean currents but has two small propellers allowing it to modify its trajectory and maneuver in confined waters. Underwater robots would be sent from the laboratory to explore the seabed. The hull would be made of an alloy of aluminum and magnesium.{{cite web |url=http://www.seaorbiter.com/assets/plaquette/SEAORBITER_EN.pdf |title=SeaOrbiter Booklet |website=SeaOrbiter.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114151540/http://www.seaorbiter.com/assets/plaquette/SEAORBITER_EN.pdf |archivedate=14 November 2013}}
See also
- Ben Franklin (PX-15), a 1968 research vessel designed to house a six-man crew for up to 30 days of oceanographic study in the depths of the Gulf Stream.
- Earth 300, a proposed superyacht intended for scientific research
- NEEMO, ongoing NASA program
References
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