Housekeeping in an underwater habitat is a crucial part of habitability. It plays a primary role in maintaining the cleanliness of the habitat and thus the crew’s health and safety, which will consequently boost their morale, comfort, and productivity. Continue reading “Housekeeping”
ESA Qualification
We are very happy that our proposal of an European Underwater Research Center has been qualified today by ESA to be presented for discussion and vote. So there is a realistic chance for funding of a detailed feasibility process leading to the construction of the first module(s).
Recreation
Recreation is an important consideration for maintaining high morale, psychological and physiological health in an underwater habitat, especially for long durations. This section provides guidelines for recreational activities. Continue reading “Recreation”
Meer-Drachen
News from the past [scrolldown for english translation] Continue reading “Meer-Drachen”
Stowage & Inventory Management
This section discusses design considerations for the layout and design of stowage systems inside an underwater habitat. It also provides the characteristics of a successful onboard inventory management system design. Such a system can track the quantity, location, and status (e.g., remaining useful life) of inventory items. The inventory management function is one of the primary elements of onboard information management. Continue reading “Stowage & Inventory Management”
Undersea Station Draft No.5: Hangar II
(Update 14.08.2020: new article) This section is about Draft No.5 of the CalamarPark underwater habitat, a hangar type module with right angular docking keys. Having a look at the evaluation list ‘General Considerations‘ it seems like the ideal shape for the undersea station.
Mooring
A Scour Hole (image from Wikimedia Commons, licence USGS / Public domain)This chapter collects information on mooring of an underwater station, potential difficulties and solutions. Continue reading “Mooring”
Nutrition
For long-term stays in an underwater station, a plan for ideal nutrition is required, which takes into account the special circumstances such as increased-pressure environments and reduced sunlight. This section will discuss the specific requirements and the resulting dietary recommendations, which include environmental considerations (avoidance of waste…), safety precautions (avoidance of contamination of the habitat atmosphere…) and alternative sources of supply (own production, finished products…). Some considerations will require a certain design of the corresponding habitat sections. Continue reading “Nutrition”
Undersea Station: Portholes
(Update 15.07.2020: complete makeover of the article; replaced outdated information; added new aspects from different sources like NASA’s Human Integration Handbook, 2010)
Windows are essential and present the most important reason to operate an underwater habitat. They are necessary for operation, safety and marketing. Continue reading “Undersea Station: Portholes”
Habitat Entrance
(Updated 04.07.2020; added new visualizations; minor additions/corrections to access tunnel) Surely one of the most complicated area of an underwater structure for human occupation is the habitat entrance. It is the local water-air interface, vulnerable to changes in pressure by tidal movements on the surface of the sea; its hatches have to bare potential pressure differences between the habitat interior and the surrounding water; no object that is only a little bigger than the greatest diameter of the entrance can be brought into the habitat. It is constantly wet and humid and the only gateway for medical assistance. But to see in detail let’s have a look at the different sections of the entrance complex. Continue reading “Habitat Entrance”