underwater station would be comparable to space stations receiving material and
vehicles from Earth.
Since the discovery of hydrothermal deposits and their associated biological
community, scientists have been eager to undertake sustained time-series investigations in order to understand the time scale variation of oceanic processes.
Indeed, it has become common to conduct some of our research by repeatedly
visiting the same sites. This started in the early 80 s
0 at 138N on the EPR, when
biologists wanted to observe the changes in animal distribution and specimen types
around hot hydrothermal vents and when geologists wanted to sample and carry
out various geophysical measurements.
The increasing capabilities of sending robots underwater makes deep-sea
operations much less expensive than when using manned submersibles. Also, the
time scientists can spend on the sea floor is limited with manned submersibles,
averaging 7–9 h total. With a robot, the time on the bottom is unlimited as long as
the ship can maintain its station and supply power to the fiber optic cable.
However, the remote controlled system does not provide the same full concentration of the human intellect as when scientists are at direct contact with the
sea floor. One of the advantages of manned submersibles is to have a human being,
with his eyes and his brain, at almost direct contact with the target so he can react
instantaneously with the environment. This permits the observer to change the
plans of the dive rapidly in response to a given situation. Such a change in tactics
is most relevant to specific targets in biology with quick moving life forms and is
also relevant to eruptive events related to hydrothermal volcanic sources where
rapid response is also required.
The eyes of an experienced marine geologist are necessary in order to discern
freshly erupted flows and their changing morphology. Although a larger overview
might also be made from data recovered by deep-towed sonar and television
camera stations, the final proof of correct data interpretation will come with the
in situ (on-site) observation obtained from manned submersibles.
The advantages of manned or unmanned observations and data recovery are
related to the cost of maintaining HOVs (human occupied vehicles) compared to
adjusting to the distortion of 2-D images on a screen. It is a fact that the dimensions and perspectives of a Television image are not the same as on-site
observations.
We need to take into consideration the liberty of an independent submersible
when compared to using a system involving a tether and fiber-optic cable, which
are major disadvantages for an ROV. In fact, both systems are complementary to
each other and could be used in various combinations for conducting detailed
observations and sampling. It would be a shame to give preference to one technology at the expense of the other because later, if it appears that manned submersibles and/or ROV techniques would be needed, it might be too late to return.
Are we ready to dismiss the possibility of unmanned flight in outer space? I do
not believe so, because man is eager to explore new frontiers and confront new
elements and I believe that no machines can replace human beings. Furthermore, if
we dismiss the possibility of using manned undersea vehicles, we may loose our
68
3 Diving into the Abysses
vehicles from Earth.
Since the discovery of hydrothermal deposits and their associated biological
community, scientists have been eager to undertake sustained time-series investigations in order to understand the time scale variation of oceanic processes.
Indeed, it has become common to conduct some of our research by repeatedly
visiting the same sites. This started in the early 80 s
0 at 138N on the EPR, when
biologists wanted to observe the changes in animal distribution and specimen types
around hot hydrothermal vents and when geologists wanted to sample and carry
out various geophysical measurements.
The increasing capabilities of sending robots underwater makes deep-sea
operations much less expensive than when using manned submersibles. Also, the
time scientists can spend on the sea floor is limited with manned submersibles,
averaging 7–9 h total. With a robot, the time on the bottom is unlimited as long as
the ship can maintain its station and supply power to the fiber optic cable.
However, the remote controlled system does not provide the same full concentration of the human intellect as when scientists are at direct contact with the
sea floor. One of the advantages of manned submersibles is to have a human being,
with his eyes and his brain, at almost direct contact with the target so he can react
instantaneously with the environment. This permits the observer to change the
plans of the dive rapidly in response to a given situation. Such a change in tactics
is most relevant to specific targets in biology with quick moving life forms and is
also relevant to eruptive events related to hydrothermal volcanic sources where
rapid response is also required.
The eyes of an experienced marine geologist are necessary in order to discern
freshly erupted flows and their changing morphology. Although a larger overview
might also be made from data recovered by deep-towed sonar and television
camera stations, the final proof of correct data interpretation will come with the
in situ (on-site) observation obtained from manned submersibles.
The advantages of manned or unmanned observations and data recovery are
related to the cost of maintaining HOVs (human occupied vehicles) compared to
adjusting to the distortion of 2-D images on a screen. It is a fact that the dimensions and perspectives of a Television image are not the same as on-site
observations.
We need to take into consideration the liberty of an independent submersible
when compared to using a system involving a tether and fiber-optic cable, which
are major disadvantages for an ROV. In fact, both systems are complementary to
each other and could be used in various combinations for conducting detailed
observations and sampling. It would be a shame to give preference to one technology at the expense of the other because later, if it appears that manned submersibles and/or ROV techniques would be needed, it might be too late to return.
Are we ready to dismiss the possibility of unmanned flight in outer space? I do
not believe so, because man is eager to explore new frontiers and confront new
elements and I believe that no machines can replace human beings. Furthermore, if
we dismiss the possibility of using manned undersea vehicles, we may loose our
68
3 Diving into the Abysses