Fabien Cousteau, grandson of the famed Jacques Cousteau, is planning one of the most incredible things ever. He’s going to build a 4,000 square foot underwater base near Curaçao (a small island) in the Caribbean Sea.
Proteus will be the International Space Station of the ocean. 60 feet below the surface, scientists from all over the world can come to this lab to live for weeks at a time as they perform research on many subjects, not just those about the ocean. The base will be equipped with a moonpool for easy access to the water, living quarters, a kitchen, a lab, and even a greenhouse. Up to 12 scientists can stay in the base at a time. Proteus will also have a video production studio so that people around the world can experience the wonders of the ocean. With a cable attached to the surface, the base will have access to internet, power, and fresh air 24/7. Almost completely dependent on renewable resources, the base will be using wind, sun, and ocean thermal energy to function.
Being at that depth, surrounded by water and already being pressurized, scientists will be able to study the ocean in more depth and in more efficient ways than ever before. Instead of diving every time someone wants to research something and then having to decompress after every dive, scientists will simply be able to take samples from and explore the ocean that they are literally already sleeping and eating in. Yes, decompression will still be necessary but at least we’ll be able to perform weeks of research on end before having to come to the surface.
Expected to be completed in 2023, Proteus is a revolutionary invention for ocean exploration. It will allow us to discover new marine species, possibly cures for diseases, new ways to live, more information about climate change, and so much more. Some have also proposed the idea that this could be a could place for Mars astronauts to practice being in isolation. It will be the best underwater station ever built, being almost 4 times larger and more advanced than any other underwater lab.