James Cameron Gives Sub To Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 35
A year ago James Cameron made history by traveling solo almost seven miles deep in an area of the Pacific Ocean known the Mariana Trench’s Challenger Deep. He made the trip in a submersible he helped design, the Deepsea Challenger submersible system and science platform. To celebrate the anniversary, Cameron is forming a partnership with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and donating the Deep Sea Challenger. From the press release: "Cameron will transfer the Deepsea Challenger to Woods Hole, where WHOI scientists and engineers will work with Cameron and his team to incorporate the sub’s numerous engineering advancements into future research platforms and deep-sea expeditions. This partnership harnesses the power of public and private investment in supporting deep-ocean science. “The seven years we spent designing and building the Deepsea Challenger were dedicated to expanding the options available to deep-ocean researchers. Our sub is a scientific proof-of-concept, and our partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a way to provide the technology we developed to the oceanographic community,” says Cameron. James even sent us a few early drawings of the Deepsea Challenger that he made during a conversation with oceanographer Don Walsh in November 2003. The sketches are proof that many great ideas start out on napkins or lined paper.
DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible system and science platform, Jim Cameron, Nov. 2003.
"The one that's interesting, although it's very faint, is the one that shows how I would sit in the sphere, with the HD camera at the viewport. Surprisingly, that concept never changed."
Which one? (Score:3, Funny)
Tiger had lots of mistresses. Which one got it?
JAMES CAMERON (Score:2, Informative)
James Cameron doesn't do what James Cameron does for James Cameron. James Cameron does what James Cameron does because James Camerion is James Cameron.
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so (Score:3)
How deep is Woods Hole?
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That bastard. (Score:3)
He promised it to me.
James Cameron (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:James Cameron (Score:5, Funny)
The bravest pioneer
No budget too steep, no sea too deep
Who's that?
It's him, James Cameron
James, James Cameron explorer of the sea
With a dying thirst to be the first
Could it be? Yeah that's him!
James Cameron
Oh yeah!
Napkin sketches not always a good idea (Score:4, Funny)
The sketches are proof that many great ideas start out on napkins or lined paper.
Proof: a 36" Stonehenge monument [youtube.com].
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Re:Forgetting the movies for a moment... (Score:5, Interesting)
He has been pushing scientific boundaries for years in an environment that is as inhospitable as space.
Designing for deep-sea is actually a fairly practical way to advance the technology needed for space as well. Not 100% but many commonalities.
That and Cameron probably gets favorable tax treatment for the donation, rather than just depreciating the unused asset over time.
Also: "this [boat] belongs in a museum!" I hope that's its eventual fate.
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"How many atmospheres of pressure is this ship designed to be able to handle, Professor?"
Well, it's a spaceship, so somewhere between 0 and 1.
Not what you were going for, I realize, but it made me chuckle so I thought I would share.
The unasked (and unanswered) question (Score:3)
Do the scientists at Woods Hole actually want the sub?
Re:The unasked (and unanswered) question (Score:4, Informative)
From what I understand they are getting the Sub itself, along with access to all the technology and engineering that went into it's creation. That's a lot of great information and ideas that will go into building whatever they want, even if the Deepsea Challenger simply gets parked in a warehouse or torn apart for parts.
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Honestly, that's like asking if the boys at JPL want a bigger supersonic wind tunnel.
To be honest, the thing they probably need more of is funding for their current operations. Underwater subs for research are not really about having the "deepest"- at the very deepest points, there is not much interesting happening. The Alvin only came close to its deep diving rating a small percentage of the time. The focus when I worked on such a project was on faster decents/ascents, lower environmental impact, passenger comfort, lower cost operation, etc. Work was being done to improve drop weight s
Remote would be better (Score:4, Interesting)
From the BBC article
Dr Alan Jamieson, from Oceanlab, said: "I think what James Cameron has done is a really good achievement in terms of human endeavour and technology. "But my feeling is that manned submersibles like this are limited in scientific capabilities when compared to other systems, mostly due to the fact there is someone in it. Remote or autonomous systems can collect a far greater volume of useful scientific data for far less money."
Props to JC for his accomplishment but it seems it was mainly for his ego/personal curiosity.
Re:Remote would be better (Score:5, Insightful)
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But a larger question remains: Is public support for human space flight strong enough to spur government officials to pay the price in the decades ahead? On the steps of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum last week, visitors hoped so.
"There's a lot to be learned," says Tim Johns, 46, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, "and probably it's good for the human spirit to push the envelope."
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The problem with deep sea probes is that radio-control sucks under water, so the probes have to be tethered. That limits their range and mobility.
Most deep sea probes are operated from a manned sub so as to shorten the tether.
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Yep, it would have been much easier and cheaper. However, JC (hah!) wanted to go himself. So he built a submarine that could take him there.
Never underestimate how much progress comes from a rich bastard wanting to see the stars, or see his name in the stars.
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Isn't there a significant problem communicating with subs wirelessly over even short distances? Somehow I have a hard time believing that a robotic submersible is going to be able to tow a 7 mile plus cable around with it, especially with currents going every which way. If wireless communication at great depths can't be overcome it would drastically limit robotic exploration.
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Sure. So long as you're willing to accept the sharp and extreme limitations that come with that remote camera.