Humanity has claimed for a long time that we know more about moon's surface than ocean floor. Space exploration is a big topic, but understanding the deepest parts of our planet attracts less attention. A unique underwater laboratory is located off the coast Florida's coral reefs. It facilitates ocean research and prepares future astronauts.Aquarius Reef Base (now known as FIU Aquarius) was constructed in 1986. The original deployment was in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo caused damage to the sea lab. It was then relocated to Florida in 1993 after repairs. The facility was previously owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Aquarius aquanauts adapt to living below 62 feet by using saturation diving techniques. Aquarius aquanauts can stay at depth for several days or even weeks, which allows them to take long excursions that are impossible for divers to descend from the surface.Aquarius's extensive research has provided insights into the complex ecosystems of coral reefs as well as humanity's impact on them. This extreme environment has allowed for research on human physiology as well as the challenges of telemedicine. Between 2001 and 2019, Aquarius hosted 23 NEEMO missions (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations). This allowed astronauts-in training to experience spacewalks in cramped environments.The Aquatic LifeOnly 392 people had stayed at least one night in Aquarius as of 2017. After 22 years of Aquarius work, Mark Otter Hulsbeck retired in April 2021. He spent a record 292 underwater days, including a 31-day stay with the grandson Jacques Cousteau. In 1999, Aquarius was still a remote location and communication with people on land was limited to a telephone line and VHF radio connection to a base on the shore. Aquarius now has Wi-Fi which allows aquanauts to stream Netflix, chat with teachers, and keep in touch with their families.(Credit: Florida International University).Hulsbeck states that I was able to go to sea for extended periods in the Navy and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps, (NOAA), so that it helped my mental outlook. It can be difficult to separate families, but modern technology allows for Facetime, among other things. Habitat technicians had daily tasks and routines that kept them busy. Living underwater was something I loved all my life.It was a blessing that the environment, although hostile, is also beautiful.Hulsbeck said that my experiences were amazing. It was fascinating to observe the daily activities of these reef creatures. Great entertainment was provided by sharks, eagle Rays, tarpon, and goliath groupers, as well as countless tropical reef fishes.Aquanauts and astronauts have to deal with some mundane challenges. Not everyone can share 400 feet with five people, particularly if they can't get pizza delivered at night. NASA's NEEMO missions, which lasted from one to two weeks, helped astronauts adapt to professional cohabitation.(Credit: Florida International University).Hulsbeck said that NEEMO was one of my favourite missions. Every NASA astronaut said that Aquarius was an analogous experience to the International Space Station.He said that astronauts often adapted quickly to life underwater. He says these people are the best and most disciplined of all the crew. One mission was the first where we ate NASA food throughout. It is not something I recommend.Aquarius crews consume a lot dehydrated camping food. However, there are microwaves for other foods. Hulsbeck pointed out that hot sauce is a key ingredient in making any meal taste good. Aquarius also has one advantage: Aquanauts can dive for up to nine hours per day, which helps them burn calories and gives them some treats. These long dives are a key part of NEEMO. They can help astronauts prepare for spacewalks.NEEMO missions also used mock vehicles, weighted suits and artificial communication delays to simulate the work on Mars and the Moon. It is easier to return home from the ocean than it is to travel in space, but it does require some special procedures. Aquanauts can decompress for 17 hours in Aquarius' wet porch before they return to the surface.The Future of Sea ResearchAquarius isn't a household name and oceanography doesn't receive nearly as much funding as space exploration. Despite the fact that there were 60 underwater labs built in the 20th century, Aquarius is the only one still operating today. It was also subject to a funding crisis in 2012, when it was hit by cuts from the government. Florida International University then took over. NASA has a budget at $24.8 billion while NOAA works with $ 5.65 trillion. The latter lacks a prominent private partner like SpaceX. While space exploration is certainly important, the oceans are a better link to the future of humanity.Although I am not against space exploration, the excessive amount of money that is spent on it is difficult to justify in my opinion, Hulsbeck states. We cannot ignore the crucial role of the oceans which cover 2/3 of the surface of the planet.According to climate scientists, human activity has had an impact on oceanic temperature, acidity, diversity and intensity of storms. These and other changes have led to increased flooding costs and decreased food supply. It is a complex relationship, which is still not fully understood. This makes Aquarius an essential facility.Hulsbeck states that ocean research is severely underfunded. This points to the political realm. After a long period of slow progress, space exploration is now more glamorous and is making a comeback.Hulsbeck mentions that satellites are important for ocean observation and monitoring weather phenomena. These satellites have made a significant contribution to our understanding the sea and the dynamics associated with climate change. It is not clear whether the popular interest in oceanography will be rekindled to the level it was during Jacques Cousteaus' heyday. It is difficult to match the excitement of space exploration. Aquarius will not stop working towards better understanding our planet, regardless of how much attention it receives.
