SeaOrbiter, the future research vessels

The SeaOrbiter is unusual research vessels. The French-built ship was the result of a cross between research vessels and a submarine. Although the vessel has a height of 58 meters, but almost half of the ship submerged in the water, thus making it resemble a submarine.

The uniqueness of this ship is located on the under surface of the sea. In contrast to other research vessels, SeaOrbiter offer wider opportunities for researchers or explorers to explore life under the sea for 24 hours.

The concept from this ship is designed by French architect Jacques Rougerie. And had exhibited at the French pavilion at Expo 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea. "This vertical ship will be home to 18 oceanaut who will observe marine life permanently. Various forms of marine life will blend naturally in the bottom of the ship," said Rougerie, was quoted as saying from Gizmag.

The SeaOrbiter, French-built 
research vessels. (Picture from:
http://www.divermag.com/)

Before finding the right design, SeaOrbiter undergone several design overhaul. After 12 years, the concept SeaOrbiter finally get a green light. Last year, the ship completed its industrial design phase and construction is expected to begin to take place in November, 2013.

"All of the technical issues are sorted out. All modeling was also completed," said Ariel Fuchs, Education and Media Director of SeaOrbiter Project. "We gather the support of the institution and industry since five or six years ago and now SeaOrbiter has become institutional and financial project for the last two years."

The ship building is expected to cost up to U.S. $ 53 million. (or approx Rp. 514 billion) When completed later, the ship will be submerged under water as deep as 31 meters, making it easier to study the underwater environment continuously. "One of our first users are scientists," says Fuchs. "This ship is designed to explore the ocean in a new way, giving the opportunity for people to stay underwater for a long time, observe, research of marine biology mission, oceanography, and environmental issues."

The underwater lab, SeaOrbiter. 
(Picture from: http://www.divermag.com/)

The ship has a weight of 1,000 tons is designed to float vertically and carried away by the ocean currents. However, the SeaOrbiter also has two small propellers, so that can change the trajectory or maneuver to avoid a collision with the storms, reefs or other vessel. Beside that this ship is equipped power plants from renewable energy, such as solar energy, wind, and waves, to supply its life support system.

Vertical position makes the hull above the surface of the water just 27 meters away, so the larger laboratory and accommodation located below the water surface. Some floors have a pressurized cabin, both atmospheric pressure and the water pressure outside the vessel. The pressurized cabin helps divers adjust to water pressure. To explore the deep ocean that can not be reached by ordinary dives, the SeaOrbiter have an underwater robots that could be sent to the ocean floor.

Not only has a futuristic design, the ship hull is also made of alloy consisting of aluminum and magnesium. The amalgam is five times thicker than the metals used in ordinary ships. In designing the SeaOrbiter, Rougerie gain inspiration from the leading ocean explorers, such as Jacques Cousteau and Tektite, experimental laboratory capsule-shaped underwater used by oceanographers Sylvia Earle in 1969.

The Mediterranean mission plan of SeaOrbiter: search of new species and drowned civilization in the Mediterranean Sea. (Picture from: http://seaorbiter.com/)

Earle is one of the foremost proponents of the SeaOrbiter project, besides former NASA Administrator Dan Goldin and astronaut Jean-Loup Chretien. Although the project aims to build a ship, also gained support from the European Space Agency (ESA). A number of other industry organizations contributed to the development of technologies and systems required by this ambitious project.

The Atlantic mission plan of SeaOrbiter: locate 10 thousand of the unknown underwater mountains and explore the ocean trenches. (Picture from: http://seaorbiter.com/)

In a memorandum of understanding between the SeaOrbiter project and ESA on February 8, 2013, it was agreed that the ESA can use the pressurized chamber facilities on board as a space simulator to train their astronaut in preparation for space exploration. Conditions in the pressurized chamber similar to what is found in outer space. In return, ESA will help the development of design technology and recycling in the external environment, as well as the communication of public education.

Another project is now being undertaken jointly with EADS, an European aerospace and defense systems company, to develop biofuels as the main power of the ship. "To meet the requirements of sustainable philosophy developed at this time," said Fuchs.

Once completed in June, 2014, the ship is expected to head to Monaco, where Jacques Cousteau began his mission to roam the oceans in the past. "The greater education plan is to explain how important the oceans to balance our planet," said Fuchs. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SEAORBITER | CNN | GIZMAG | TJANDRA DEWI | KORAN TEMPO 4222]

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