Plans for space station of the seas unveiled
The construction of what has been described as a space station of the seas is looking more likely according to architect and designer Jacques Rougerie. The SeaOrbiter will be the world’s first vertical ship and will give scientists the ideal environment for discovering exactly what goes on below the surface of the world’s oceans. Mr. Rougerie has said that at present divers can only spend a very limited amount of time under the water. His new design will give scientists that opportunity to stay below water for months at a time. Mr. Rougerie estimates that each SeaOrbiter will cost around £32 million to build. He claims to be well on the way to raising the amount needed to start building the first SeaOrbiter and hopes that after the first one has been built he will also manage to get the funding to build more.
Mr. Rougerie predicts that it will be from studying the sea that scientists will come up with new medicines and that research had only really just begun into the secrets of the world’s oceans.
The first SeaOrbiter will be able to accommodate six scientist and six crew members. There will be space for an additional six people who would be engaged in different types of work. The ship would drift through the oceans and all of its navigational equipment will be above water. It will also borrow anti-collision technology from the International Space-Station. Mr. Rougerie also says that there will be a gym on board as well as entertainment facilities. He said the he will probably undertake the cooking for the SeaOrbiter’s maiden voyage as he liked cooking.