Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Europa Report

This year, audiences flocked to see the science fiction sensation, Insterstellar, starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway. Besides being a wildly popular movie with general audiences, it was also a hit with the science community, which applauded director Christopher Nolan for the film's scientific accuracy and integrity.

For the exploration community, last year's Europa Report provided similar authenticity. Using video footage and still images from NASA and JPL and leveraging technical consultants from both, it was an amazingly accurate depiction of a future private expedition to one of Jupiter's moons.

As you celebrate the holiday season and prepare to close out 2014, try to carve out some time to enjoy this movie (either for the first time or for a repeat viewing). It will thrill your "inner explorer".



Monday, September 1, 2014

Discovering Our Inner Explorer

Many of us are inspired by the biggest names in the history of exploration. Magellan. Shackleton. Hillary. Armstrong. We are amazed by their exploits and marvel at their accomplishments.

And we ask ourselves, "Could I do that?"

Exploration has been described roughly as "going somewhere no one has been before--usually at significant risk--for the purpose of scientific discovery". There are several elements of that definition that scare off most of us, whether it is the part about going somewhere new or taking risks or conducting science. Therefore, we tend to leave exploration to the "professionals", such as the members of the prestigious Explorers Club.

However, the world might be such a better place (and the future of humanity such a rosier vision) if more of us ventured out to explore the universe around us.

Someone once said that the difference between science and exploration is that "science seeks answers; exploration seeks questions". Since curiosity is at the core of exploration and human beings are naturally curious creatures, it stands to reason that each and every one of us has an Inner Explorer. We just have to connect with ourselves.

Fortunately, there are a growing number of opportunities for "citizen explorers" to join or support expeditions ... or even conduct their own exploration efforts.

The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science recently launched a new Exploration Science program. Although it aims to teach scientists many of the skills they will need to conduct their own expeditions, it also provides opportunities for "citizen scientists" to get involved with exploration projects.

The team that brought us inexpensive DIY underwater robots is developing an online platform to foster a global community of "citizen explorers". Through OpenExplorer, anyone can "explore their backyard" and share their findings with the rest of us.


With opportunities like these becoming increasingly available, we hope that many more people around the world will find their Inner Explorer.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Exploring the World with Luminox

We are truly excited to welcome Luminox as the official watch of our Plunge Into The Abyss expedition!

From the first time we dove in a deep submersible beyond depths where sunlight could penetrate, we knew that we would have to find a watch that could operate in those rigorous conditions. After all, precise timing of underwater operations can mean the difference between life and death, but in the darkness of the deep ocean we needed to preserve our night vision. We experimented with several different time-keeping devices before our friend and fellow explorer Scott Cassell introduced us to Luminox in 2010. One dive wearing a Luminox watch, and we were hooked!

Luminox combines the best of two worlds: traditional Swiss watch-making craftsmanship and practical operational excellence for field work in extreme environments. Their “Always On” self-powered illumination system makes watches more visible and easier to read in low or no light situations. This is perfect for military and law enforcement uses. Of course, it also makes their watches “Essential Gear” for exploring extreme environments … like the oceans and space.

We greatly appreciate the support that the entire Luminox team has shown us in the past, and we look forward to working with them on many expeditions!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Hoist the jib, shake a reef!
Expedition Planning Under Sail

Staysails and luffing. Close hauled and in irons. Maydays and Securites. All terms you’re likely to never hear unless you’re joining the crew of a sailboat.

Last month, I joined a motley group of students, professionals and educators for a week on Pangaea Exploration’s Sea Dragon for an Exploration Science program in the Cayman Islands. From hoisting the main halyard to kite mapping, lectures and field trips were designed to teach skills necessary for modern-day explorers and expedition leaders. Hoist and map we did, with the vim and vigor of the saltiest sailors.


As with the best experiential education courses, our first-hand experiences carried as much weight as formal programming. In addition to learning coral reef survey methods and testing dozens of exploration-relevant apps, a few lessons are sure to stick with me for future expedition planning:

1. Crowdsource for fundraising, not course-setting


After learning the ins and outs of maritime navigation, we were asked to plot a course from Grand Cayman to Little Cayman and Cayman Brac…and plan every hour of that journey. Trying to plan every hour of a trip for myself is a challenge, but planning with thirteen people with unique interests and desires may result in abandoning ship. After this exercise, our captain revealed that normally the permanent crew and a group leader set the course in order to streamline planning and minimize conflict.

2. Best laid plans of mice and men


Even once our itinerary was meticulously outlined, the captain cautioned us to allow extra time for navigating customs, foul weather, and other unforeseen obstacles. He may have jinxed us. Though we planned to go ashore and explore each island, weak moorings and increasing swell caused us to pinball between the islands, eventually abandoning our plans and returning to Grand Cayman. On the other hand, we unexpectedly happened to moor on two shipwrecks and enjoyed some marvelous unplanned snorkeling! Flexibility is the name of the game for expeditions with a range of goals and participants.

3. The scouts are right: Be prepared for anything


After a formal session on provisioning and being left to our own devices for meal planning by the second day of our trip, learning to plan ahead became necessary. In case of unplanned delays, carrying enough provisions for twice the length of an intended trip is recommended. On the food front, we turned out some exceptionally gourmet meals, even once food came more from cans and boxes than the fridge. Having extra gear became equally apparent following the theft of a snorkel and mask by Poseidon. In case of loss or breakage, having extras of anything that would cause you injury or inconvenience is a must.

After a week of learning how to run an expedition, the most important lesson became apparent: to jump at any chance to join an expedition on a sailboat in the Caribbean Sea!


Photo credits (in order): Ian Tomcho, Dr. Keene Haywood, Samantha Wishnak




Contributed by

Samantha Wishnak
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Blue Marble Exploration
Monterey, CA, USA

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Extreme Environmental Medicine:
A Paradigm Shift for Physicians

There can be little doubt that humanity as a whole is becoming more adventurous, with increasing numbers of people venturing into more extreme environments than ever before.

This trend is easily identified in a variety of different areas: there has been substantial growth in the number of qualified scuba divers over the last 30 years, with current worldwide estimates exceeding 14 million; the number of climbers each year on Mount Everest is increasing exponentially, while the number of deaths has remained relatively constant; and almost 700 potential astronauts have signed up for Virgin Galactic’s future suborbital flights, which is more people than have ever flown to space in human history. Thus, more and more people are exploring dangerous environments and in doing so, placing themselves at greater risk for medical illness and injury. However, the nature of these illnesses and injuries are as unique as the environments in which they occur, much different from the common medical problems faced by physicians every day around the world.


The average physician is trained by a medical education system that is designed around the concepts of treating illness and injury as they are related to a “normal” environment. However, when one considers an “extreme” environment, it quickly becomes apparent that the type of medicine for which most physicians are trained may not apply. Extreme environmental medicine requires a paradigm shift for physicians: in extreme environments, patients experience problems that result from a combination of issues related to abnormal anatomy, physiology, and/or the environment itself. This change in the general medical approach to problem solving is not part of the standard medical curriculum and as such, most physicians are not adequately prepared to face the unique challenges in extreme environmental medicine.

In order to manage these types of challenges, extreme environmental medicine physicians must consider a number of factors. First, the types of medical issues encountered by patients in these environments can be unique, such as decompression illness, acute mountain sickness, snake envenomations, etc. Second, whilst in the extreme environment, there will likely be a significant paucity of resources available on hand that can be used at the time of the medical emergency. Third, given that most of these environments are very remote, there will be an inherent lack of access to definitive care (e.g. a hospital) in a timely manner. Fourth, these extreme environmental medicine physicians may have to display substantial clinical autonomy, as consultations with other medical experts may not be possible. Finally, depending on the nature of the environment, evacuation and transport of ill or injured patients may be a necessity.


Training physicians to provide high quality medical care despite all of the challenging factors listed above can be a difficult undertaking. Historically, most of the expertise was developed from experience. However, there are now a few formal educational programs in this area, such as the Fellowship in Extreme Environmental Medicine at the George Washington University. Given the fact that humanity’s need to explore will continue to drive individuals into more and more extreme environments in larger numbers, this field of extreme environmental medicine is very likely to grow.

Over time, it will be these extreme environmental medicine physicians who will be well poised to help support humanity in its continued exploration of the Earth and beyond.




Contributed by

Dr. Kris Lehnhardt
Physician and Assistant Professor
Emergency and Aerospace Medicine
George Washington University
Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

SeaOrbiter: Space Station of the Sea

I would like to tell you about a project that I imagined thanks to the influence of legendary explorers such as Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Jacques Piccard. Indeed, this project is placing exploration of the still widely unknown aquatic realm at the center of its concerns. This project is called SeaOrbiter and it is the culmination of 30 years of innovative research and work based on bionic architecture inspired by marine forms and a concern for sustainable development.

SeaOrbiter is an exploration vessel as well as a scientific laboratory dedicated to the discovery of the underwater world and the education around sustainable development applied to the ocean.


Weighing in at approximately 500 tons of recyclable aluminum, the semi-submersible SeaOrbiter will drift silently across the ocean, aided by a small propulsion system, and support the crow’s nest and the suite of communications systems that will allow the team to broadcast their adventures live.


The Eye of the SeaOrbiter will be 18 meters (59 ft) high above the surface of the sea, with the overall vessel measuring 58 meters (190 ft). It will support the crow’s nest and the suite of communications systems that will allow the team to broadcast their adventures live. Life aboard, explorations, discoveries, and great scientific advancements will all be documented through the Eye’s technological prowess.

In order for the project to become a reality, we launched in November 2013 a crowdfunding campaign on KissKissBankBank to finance the construction of the ‘Eye’ of the vessel, to start in spring 2014.


The ocean is the heart of the solar system. It is at once the motor and the lungs of our planet. We must reinstate the ocean as the center of our daily lives. We want to make way for a new global socio-economic model which integrates the ocean in a responsible, sustainable manner, as the principal source of innovation and solutions. Medicine, nutrition, pharmacology, renewable energy-- the SeaOrbiter can help us improve these for the betterment of our planet.


Thanks to the help of the public, we rely on all sea lovers, adventure and innovation enthusiasts to help us build SeaOrbiter. Each contribution counts; support SeaOrbiter on KissKissBankBank and follow the project on Twitter @Sea_Orbiter.

Photo credits: SeaOrbiter® / Jacques Rougerie


Contributed by

Jacques Rougerie
Architect
SeaOrbiter
Paris, France