Ask an Aquanaut: Life Support
Grace asks: How do you keep the water pressure from crushing Aquarius and how do you get electricity and fresh air?
Hi Grace,
Thanks for the questions.
The hull and viewports are strong enough to withstand the pressure at the depth Aquarius sits.
We have a generator for power and compressors for air in a large buoy (LSB or Life Support Buoy) that sits on the surface over the Aquarius. From there we can transfer power through a cable and air through a hose to Aquarius. We also have air storage tanks on the seafloor from which we can transfer air to Aquarius.
Dr. Ellen Prager
Science Advisor, Aquarius Reef Base
One Response So Far
richard vinson | August 19th, 2009
I hope all is going well with Aquarius. We all missed your summer projects this year and hope your September mission will go on as planned.I believe that what you are doing will go down in history as a great step forward for mankind.
Richard
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