Despite covering more than 70 of the world's underwater realm unexplored, scientists know more about the surface of the Moon and Mars than the bottom of the ocean. Due to intense pressures and poor visibility, the deep ocean is an extremely challenging place to study. But that could be set to change in the not too distant future, thanks to a pioneering architect's ambitious project which will see a $50 million floating laboratory take to the seas. SeaOrbiter, the futuristic ship that's been hailed the Starship Enterprise for the water, is the brainchild of French architect Jacques Rougerie. While he has a history of making crazy dreams become a reality, this is by far his boldest project to date. The craft is still only on the drawing board at the moment, but thanks to crowdfunding efforts through KissKissBankBank, Rougerie and his colleagues have secured $475,000 which will allow them to initiate construction towards the end of the year. If funding continues, some of which has been provided by the French government, then the team is hopeful that it could be completed in 2016. Much like an International Space Station (ISS) for the sea, the 58-meter (190-foot) tall vessel will advance basic science and improve technology. While drifting unobtrusively across the ocean, the laboratory will continuously analyze a myriad of physical, chemical and environmental parameters to give us new insight into the ecosystem of the open ocean.
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