NASA Space Simulation and Training Project.
Principal Investigator: Bill Todd, NASA/United Space Alliance

The July mission in Aquarius includes three NASA astronauts and one astronaut training specialist. During the 9-day mission the project team will live underwater using Aquarius as a space analogue for working and training under environmental conditions that are surprisingly similar to many of the challenges faced in outer space.

Aquarius is typically used by marine scientists to study coral reefs and our coastal ocean. Project summaries of previous missions are available that include aquanaut biographies, expedition journals posted during the project, and pictures. The unique design of Aquarius allows "aquanauts" to live and work on the seafloor for extended periods using a special technique called saturation diving. This dramatically increases the time divers can spend working in the ocean depths and provides more convenient, on-site access to science equipment, and computers - Aquarius even has Internet. The system has also proven to be extremely safe. In 15 years operation no serious injuries have occurred.

Rationale for this month's mission is based on the fact that Aquarius provides a remarkably similar environment to that aboard the International Space Station (ISS). For example, the Aquarius habitat is similar in size to modules of the ISS; aquanauts coordinate operations remotely via a Mission Control Center located nine miles away in Key Largo; and experiments are conducted underwater using space walking techniques that are under the guidance of a mission control center.

Aquanauts remain isolated from the outside world for the duration of their mission because saturation diving techniques require a lengthy decompression before surfacing is allowed. The isolation, surrounded by an extreme environment, is important for studies related to behavior and physiology. In particular, the NASA Aquarius experience will be used to help build crew and mission control communication techniques, and will provide leadership and interpersonal skills training to everyone involved.

Several different NASA departments are involved in the mission. They will monitor the progress of the astronaut crew from the Johnson Space Center in real-time. Underwater communications equipment and cameras will provide interactive capability between the aquanauts and NASA staff in Houston. A number of tasks performed inside Aquarius are designed to simulate similar functions to be performed in space. A goal of the mission is to use results of the mission to help NASA planners shape future training programs.

As with each Aquarius mission, the July effort will consist of two UNCW live-aboard operations specialists and four astronaut specialists. The team will be announced in March.