Innovative Vanguard and Sentinel habitats enable underwater living

As the world faces environmental challenges and seeks new opportunities, the idea of underwater living is gaining serious momentum. 

While lunar and Martian colonies make headlines, scientists and engineers are turning their attention to the ocean floor, a mysterious and untapped frontier much closer to home.

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The history of underwater living

Underwater habitats are not a new concept. In the 1960s, Jacques Cousteau built and lived in underwater modules, proving that humans could survive beneath the waves for short periods. Since 2001, NASA has been sending researchers to the Aquarius Reef Base off Florida’s coast. There, they live and work for up to two weeks about 65 feet below the surface.

How technology is advancing underwater living

Recent advances are making long-term underwater living a real possibility. British company DEEP is developing two modular habitats designed for extended stays. These habitats use advanced manufacturing methods such as Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing to build strong, efficient structures. These innovations help the units withstand the intense pressure of the deep sea.

Sentinel underwater habitat. (Deep)

Can humans thrive underwater?

Living underwater is not easy. Humans need oxygen, sunlight and stable pressure. Yet, history shows we can adapt to extreme environments. For instance, astronauts have lived on the International Space Station for over a year at a time, dealing with challenges similar to those found underwater.

Even so, recent experiments are encouraging. German engineer Rudiger Koch spent 120 days in a submerged capsule without health issues. Likewise, Professor Joseph Dituri lived 100 days underwater and emerged healthier, with better sleep, reduced cholesterol and even a younger biological age.

Vanguard underwater habitat: DEEP’s prototype for ocean living

The Vanguard underwater habitat is DEEP’s innovative engineering prototype for advancing underwater living. Vanguard is a compact underwater module designed for short-term missions that can support three people at most. It lets DEEP test new designs and technologies in real-world conditions. It also helps the company gather valuable user feedback.

Vanguard underwater habitat. (Deep)

How the Vanguard underwater habitat is built and tested

The development of the Vanguard underwater habitat starts with dry assembly….