undersea station & park | concept | studies
(Updated 15.01.2021 – complete re-edit of post; updated concept map) The Digital Data Processing of the station will be of major importance. Beside the conventional functions of the IT systems we should use the opportunity to establish a completely new approach concerning the User Interface (UI) and the system’s interaction with the aquanauts. Continue reading “Undersea Station: Data Processing”
(Updated 29.11.2020; re-edit of the hatches chapter) 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”
This section describes the necessary design of internal doors in an underwater habitat. Doors separate functional areas or modules of the habitat. Continue reading “Internal Doors and Hatches”
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”
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 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”
News from the past [scrolldown for english translation] Continue reading “Meer-Drachen”
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”
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”
(Updated 30.08.2020; added section Research on Medicals from the Marine Environment)
IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is similar but not identical to Operational Financing. For information on the other matter please visit the corresponding article.
In the past years we have seen that it is very difficult to attract investors for the initial building of even a small habitat. In the beginning we concentrated on scientific institutions who always were very interested, but not able to lift the initial costs. Before we start to calculate the initial costs we should define the sectors of potential application, rethink the habitat design to cover the demands of as many of these sectors and then refine the initial costs. Continue reading “Undersea Station: Initial Financing”