Risk and Exploration
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The Rovers' Tale
Vol 436|11 August 2005 BOOKS & ARTS The rovers’ tale How NASA scientists overcame the odds to find signs of water on Mars. Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity, and the Exploration of the Red Planet by Steve Squyres JPL/NASA Hyperion: 2005. 432 pp. $25.95 Gregory Benford Roving Marsis a deftly and dramatically writ- ten history of the Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. It is also a primer on how to do exotic geology at a distance of 100 million miles using robots. Steve Squyres knows how to render scenes and intricate technical detail to build tension, without losing sight of the thrill and grind of the groundbreaking work. “Eleven years had passed since I had started trying to send hardware to Mars, and in all that time I hadn’t seen a single plan for Mars explo- ration survive for more than about eighteen months before there was some sort of cata- clysm,” writes Squyres. Chief among these was the loss of the 1999 Mars Climate Orbiter: “The Mars program had become so screwed up that nobody had caught a high-school mis- take like mixing up English and metric units.” NASA doesn’t escape criticism over the rover mission either. According to Squyres, NASA’s On a roll: during testing for manoeuvrability in the lab, the rovers overcame a series of obstacles. rules meant that “cutting corners and taking chances” were the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s The team had to trim experiments and patch signs of ancient surface water and found it, only management tools. After the losses of the problems right up to the launch date. -
How to Make Solo Rebreather Diving Safer
technical So,what’s Say that you dive on your own with wrong about a rebreather and wait for the reactions. matters bringing a Rubiks cube You’ll hear some nasty comments about along on a dive? you being an accident waiting to happen Discussions about diving never did a solo dive. The other 92 percent have done at least a few Column by are very often boring— solo dives, with 33 percent doing Cedric Verdier always the same stories mostly solo diving. about numerous sharks Of course, a poll only represents dangerously close, strong the opinion of a few individuals current ripping a mask off who want to answer the questions. It cannot be considered as the “big or friendly dolphins play- picture” of the entire rebreather ing during a deco stop. diver community. Nevertheless, it We heard them so many shows that some rebreather divers times. keep on diving solo, even if the perceived risk is so high… So, if you want to have some Why people don’t dive fun, simply say that you dive on solo with a rebreather? your own with a rebreather and Simply because that’s one wait for the reactions. You’ll hear of the most basic rules some nasty comments about one learns during the you being an accident waiting Open Water Diver to happen, and some people course: “Never dive will clearly show you their option alone”. It’s so famous about your mental health. that it’s almost a dogma. And it sounds Why? Because everybody so logical? knows that CCR Solo diving is the most stupid thing to do on Earth 1. -
The Age of Exploration
ABSS8_ch05.qxd 2/9/07 10:54 AM Page 104 The Age of 5 Exploration FIGURE 5-1 1 This painting of Christopher Columbus arriving in the Americas was done by Louis Prang and Company in 1893. What do you think Columbus might be doing in this painting? 104 Unit 1 Renaissance Europe ABSS8_ch05.qxd 2/9/07 10:54 AM Page 105 WORLDVIEW INQUIRY Geography What factors might motivate a society to venture into unknown regions Knowledge Time beyond its borders? Worldview Economy Beliefs 1492. On a beach on an island in the Caribbean Sea, two Values Society Taino girls were walking in the cool shade of the palm trees eating roasted sweet potatoes. uddenly one of the girls pointed out toward the In This Chapter ocean. The girls could hardly believe their eyes. S Imagine setting out across an Three large strange boats with huge sails were ocean that may or may not con- headed toward the shore. They could hear the tain sea monsters without a map shouts of the people on the boats in the distance. to guide you. Imagine sailing on The girls ran back toward their village to tell the ocean for 96 days with no everyone what they had seen. By the time they idea when you might see land returned to the beach with a crowd of curious again. Imagine being in charge of villagers, the people from the boats had already a group of people who you know landed. They had white skin, furry faces, and were are planning to murder you. -
Planetary Report Report
The PLANETARYPLANETARY REPORT REPORT Volume XXIX Number 1 January/February 2009 Beyond The Moon From The Editor he Internet has transformed the way science is On the Cover: Tdone—even in the realm of “rocket science”— The United States has the opportunity to unify and inspire the and now anyone can make a real contribution, as world’s spacefaring nations to create a future brightened by long as you have the will to give your best. new goals, such as the human exploration of Mars and near- In this issue, you’ll read about a group of amateurs Earth asteroids. Inset: American astronaut Peggy A. Whitson who are helping professional researchers explore and Russian cosmonaut Yuri I. Malenchenko try out training Mars online, encouraged by Mars Exploration versions of Russian Orlan spacesuits. Background: The High Rovers Project Scientist Steve Squyres and Plane- Resolution Camera on Mars Express took this snapshot of tary Society President Jim Bell (who is also head Candor Chasma, a valley in the northern part of Valles of the rovers’ Pancam team.) Marineris, on July 6, 2006. Images: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training This new Internet-enabled fun is not the first, Center. Background: ESA nor will it be the only, way people can participate in planetary exploration. The Planetary Society has been encouraging our members to contribute Background: their minds and energy to science since 1984, A dust storm blurs the sky above a volcanic caldera in this image when the Pallas Project helped to determine the taken by the Mars Color Imager on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shape of a main-belt asteroid. -
Exploration Opportunities in the Mediterranean
Exploration in the Mediterranean Sea has experienced significant renewed interest over the last decade, with exciting, play-opening discoveries in Israel, Egypt and Libya. ION has taken an Pliocene -- CROP Repro – 4,700 km Miocene Messinian Exploration innovative approach in order to rapidly and cost-effectively develop an integrated dataset to acquired 80s-90s acquired 80s-90s - 4.5-6 km osets aid understanding of the whole Mediterranean, which can be used as the framework for future 17-20s record MS Repro –17,000 km Eocene exploration programmes and to challenge existing basin models. The dataset consists of newly acquired ‘70s-’80s 2.4 km osets Oligocene Opportunities in the 10-12s record, dynamite source acquired BasinSPAN data and reprocessed data from both industry and academic sources. These surveys have been processed concurrently to provide a consistent velocity model across the Mediterranean and generate a fully integrated geological and geophysical interpretation Mediterranean Upper Cretaceous using seismic, well, gravity and magnetic data. ION has created a unique dataset in the region to NAGECO The value of a regionally calibrated seismic dataset support the next phase of exploration, with license rounds expected in the near future. LibyaSPAN –– IONION acquiredacquired Lower Mesozoic 2014 – 7040 km LibyaRepro –38,000–38,000 kmkm acquired 2005 10 km osets 8.5 km osets 18s record, WiBand processingprocessing 10s record, WiBand re-processing 0 — Absence of Messinian evaporites on palaeo-high Thickened Messinian Thickened Messinian -
Cochran Undersea Technology
Cochran Undersea Technology www.DiveCochran.com Technical Publication ©2013 7Apr13 Task Loading While scuba diving, the diver wants to focus on his Mission whether it be cruising a reef, photographing fish, cave diving, disarming a mine, or just diving with a buddy for the fun of it. The diver doesn’t need or want to be distracted or concerned by equipment tasks that could be easily avoided. Cochran dive computers have the lowest task loading of any unit on the market today. This is one reason why Cochran is the only dive computer used by NATO, the US Navy, and other international militaries. Cochran’s goal is to allow Cochran dive computer owners to maximize their diving experience. Toward this goal, Cochran has addressed the following issues: No Buttons – no Worries Regardless of how well a product is designed, having pushbuttons is always less reliable than not having pushbuttons. Pushbuttons can be troublesome when wearing gloves. Trying to press a pushbutton or combination of pushbuttons while carrying a camera and taking a picture is at best, challenging. Cochran dive computers are fully automatic and have no pushbuttons. If desired to change any settings in a Cochran dive computer while on the surface, the diver uses the three permanent stainless contacts on the side or bottom of the unit. Batteries Cochran dive computers have the longest battery life. By checking for battery warnings just before a dive, the diver can be assured that when he starts a dive there is sufficient battery power to complete it. Constantly checking the battery while in a dive is not necessary with a Cochran dive computer. -
Prokaryotes Exposed to Elevated Hydrostatic Pressure - Daniel Prieur
EXTREMOPHILES – Vol. III - Piezophily: Prokaryotes Exposed to Elevated Hydrostatic Pressure - Daniel Prieur PIEZOPHILY: PROKARYOTES EXPOSED TO ELEVATED HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE Daniel Prieur Université de Bretagne occidentale, Plouzané, France. Keywords: archea, bacteria, deep biosphere, deep sea, Europa, exobiology, hydrothermal vents, hydrostatic pressure, hyperthermophile, Mars, oil reservoirs, prokaryote. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Deep-Sea Microbiology 2.1. A Brief History 2.2. Deep-Sea Psychrophiles 2.2.1. General Features 2.2.2. Adaptations to Elevated Hydrostatic Pressure 2.3. Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents 2.3.1. Deep-Sea Hyperthermophiles 2.3.2. Responses to Hydrostatic Pressure 3. Other Natural Environments Exposed to Hydrostatic Pressure 3.1. Deep Marine Sediments 3.2. Deep Oil Reservoirs 3.3. Deep Rocks and Aquifers 3.4. Sub-Antarctic Lakes 4. Other Worlds 4.1. Mars 4.2. Europa 5. Conclusions Acknowledgements Glossary Bibliography Biographical Sketch SummaryUNESCO – EOLSS All living organisms, and particularly prokaryotes, which colonize the most extreme environments, SAMPLEhave their physiology cont rolledCHAPTERS by a variety of physicochemical parameters whose different values contribute to the definition of biotopes. Hydrostatic pressure is one of the major parameters influencing life, but its importance is limited to only some environments, especially the deep sea. If the deep sea is defined as water layers below one kilometer depth, this amount of water, which is exposed to pressures up to 100 MPa, represents 62% of the volume of the total Earth biosphere. A rather small numbers of investigators have studied the prokaryotes that, alongside invertebrates and vertebrates, inhabit this extreme environment. Deep-sea prokaryotes show different levels of adaptation to elevated hydrostatic pressure, from the barosensitive organisms to the obligate piezophiles. -
Titanic Survivor Violet Jessop Titanic Survivor by Violet Jessop, Ed
Suggested Reading: Titanic Survivor Violet Jessop Titanic Survivor by Violet Jessop, ed. John Maxtone-Graham (1998). Stewardess Violet Jessop shares stories about life on grand ocean liners of the golden era of transatlantic travel, as well as her experiences surviving the sinkings of both the RMS Titanic in 1912 and the HMHS Britannic in 1916. 882½ Amazing Answers to Your Questions about Titanic by Hugh Brewster (1999). A fun book packed with facts about Titanic. A top-seller among Titanic books, aimed at a children’s audience but fascinating for all ages. Down With the Old Canoe: A Cultural History of the Titanic Disaster by Steven Biel (1996). A scholarly yet fun study of myths the disaster inspired, from songs to political speeches to musicals. A Night to Remember by Walter Lord (1955). Walter Lord’s classic minute-by-minute account of the last night of the Titanic remains the most riveting account of the collision and its aftermath. Based on extensive interviews with survivors. My top pick for readers new to the Titanic. Titanic: An Illustrated History by Don Lynch, paintings by Ken Marschall (1992). A magnificent, lavishly illustrated book that tells the full story of the Titanic, from her building and launch to the sinking and the recovery, created by a leading Titanic historian and the foremost Titanic painter. HMHS Britannic: The Last Titan by Simon Mills (1992). A brief history of the Titanic’s forgotten sister ship, which sank after hitting a German mine during World War I. Timeline of Violet Jessop Oct. 1, 1887 Born in Argentina, the oldest child of Irish immigrants 1908 Joins Royal Mail Line as a stewardess. -
2007 MTS Overview of Manned Underwater Vehicle Activity
P A P E R 2007 MTS Overview of Manned Underwater Vehicle Activity AUTHOR ABSTRACT William Kohnen There are approximately 100 active manned submersibles in operation around the world; Chair, MTS Manned Underwater in this overview we refer to all non-military manned underwater vehicles that are used for Vehicles Committee scientific, research, tourism, and commercial diving applications, as well as personal leisure SEAmagine Hydrospace Corporation craft. The Marine Technology Society committee on Manned Underwater Vehicles (MUV) maintains the only comprehensive database of active submersibles operating around the world and endeavors to continually bring together the international community of manned Introduction submersible operators, manufacturers and industry professionals. The database is maintained he year 2007 did not herald a great through contact with manufacturers, operators and owners through the Manned Submersible number of new manned submersible de- program held yearly at the Underwater Intervention conference. Tployments, although the industry has expe- The most comprehensive and detailed overview of this industry is given during the UI rienced significant momentum. Submersi- conference, and this article cannot cover all developments within the allocated space; there- bles continue to find new applications in fore our focus is on a compendium of activity provided from the most dynamic submersible tourism, science and research, commercial builders, operators and research organizations that contribute to the industry and who share and recreational work; the biggest progress their latest information through the MTS committee. This article presents a short overview coming from the least likely source, namely of submersible activity in 2007, including new submersible construction, operation and the leisure markets. -
2011 NOAA Diving Program Annual Report
NOAA Diving Program 2011 Annual Report 31 December 2011 NOAA Diving Center 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115 NOAA Diving Program - Annual Report 2011 Summary For over 40 years, NOAA divers have safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively collected data and performed tasks underwater in support of NOAA goals and objectives. Fiscal year 2011 was no exception. FY11 continued to be a year of change and transition for the NOAA Diving Program (NDP) with the implementation of new standards, policies and procedures designed to increase safety and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Nine new policies were implemented, a new Working Diving standards and safety manual was adopted, and a new Diving Unit Safety Assessment (DUSA) program was initiated. This year, when compared to FY 2010, the Program experienced a 09% (44) decrease in the number of divers, a 01% (130) decrease in the number of dives performed, and a 05% (471) decrease in the total hours of bottom time logged by NOAA divers. These data do not include dives conducted by reciprocity partners which would have significantly impacted the totals in each category. Of the total number of dives recorded (13,859), 71% (9,845) were classified as ‘scientific,’ 14% (1,971) were ‘working,’ and 26% (3,550) were ‘training or proficiency’ (see Chart 1). These data represent almost no change in the number of scientific dives, a 12% decrease in working dives compared to FY10, and a 09% decrease in training and proficiency dives. Should the proposed alternate diving standards, currently under review by OSHA, be approved, the Program may see an increase in the number of working dives performed each year due to the lessening of restrictions on Nitrox breathing mixtures and the ability to conduct working dives without a chamber on site. -
Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine 7KH-RXUQDORIWKH6RXWK3DFL¿F8QGHUZDWHU0HGLFLQH6RFLHW\ ,QFRUSRUDWHGLQ9LFWRULD $% ISSN 1833 - 3516 Volume 37 No. 4 ABN 29 299 823 713 December 2007 Diving expeditions: from Antarctica to the Tropics Diving deaths in New Zealand Epilepsy and diving – time for a change? Mechanical ventilation of patients at pressure Print Post Approved PP 331758/0015 9^k^c\VcY=neZgWVg^XBZY^X^cZKdajbZ(,Cd#)9ZXZbWZg'%%, PURPOSES OF THE SOCIETY IdegdbdiZVcY[VX^a^iViZi]ZhijYnd[VaaVheZXihd[jcYZglViZgVcY]neZgWVg^XbZY^X^cZ Idegdk^YZ^c[dgbVi^dcdcjcYZglViZgVcY]neZgWVg^XbZY^X^cZ IdejWa^h]V_djgcVa IdXdckZcZbZbWZghd[i]ZHdX^ZinVccjVaanViVhX^Zci^ÄXXdc[ZgZcXZ OFFICE HOLDERS EgZh^YZci 9g8]g^h6Xdii (%EVg`6kZcjZ!GdhhancEVg` :çbV^a1XVXdii5deijhcZi#Xdb#Vj3 Hdji]6jhigVa^V*%,' EVhiçEgZh^YZci 9gGdWncLVa`Zg &'7VggVaa^ZgHigZZi!<g^[Äi] :çbV^a1GdWnc#LVa`Zg5YZ[ZcXZ#\dk#Vj3 68I'+%( HZXgZiVgn 9gHVgV]H]Vg`Zn E#D#7DM&%*!CVggVWZZc :çbV^a1hejbhhZXgZiVgn5\bV^a#Xdb3 CZlHdji]LVaZh'&%& IgZVhjgZg 9g<jnL^aa^Vbh E#D#7dm&.%!GZY=^aaHdji] :çbV^a1hejbh5[VhibV^a#cZi3 K^Xidg^V(.(, :Y^idg 6hhdX#Egd[#B^`Z9Vk^h 8$d=neZgWVg^XBZY^X^cZJc^i :çbV^a1hejbh_5XY]W#\dki#co3 8]g^hiX]jgX]=dhe^iVa!Eg^kViZ7V\),&%!8]g^hiX]jgX]!CO :YjXVi^dcD[ÄXZg 9g;^dcVH]Vge ').XC^X]dahdcGdVY!H]ZcidcEVg` :çbV^a1h]Vge^Z[5YdXidgh#dg\#j`3 LZhiZgc6jhigVa^V+%%- EjWa^XD[ÄXZg 9gKVcZhhV=VaaZg E#D#7dm-%'(!8Vggjb9dlch :çbV^a1kVcZhhV#]VaaZg5XYbX#Xdb#Vj3 K^Xidg^V('%& 8]V^gbVc6CO=B< 9g9Vk^YHbVgi 9ZeVgibZcid[9^k^c\VcY=neZgWVg^XBZY^X^cZ :çbV^a1YVk^Y#hbVgi5Y]]h#iVh#\dk#Vj3 GdnVa=dWVgi=dhe^iVa!=dWVgi!IVhbVc^V,%%% LZWbVhiZg -
November 2015
U-Boat Navigator Mission 2015: HMHSText by Svetlana Murashkina Britannic Photos by Sergey Bychkov and Svetlana Murashkina — In the Kea Channel, Greece Underwater photos by Eugene Tomashov 13 X-RAY MAG : 69 : 2015 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO EUGENE TOMASHOV feature Navigator The Ageotec Perseo GTV ROV at HMHS Britannic’s forecastle deck (previous page) and illuminates Bri- tannic as it is now (right) Through the centuries in Greece, Kea Island’s renowned statue, the Lion of Kea (one cannot see him from the shore, but I know he is there), continues to smile and look askance upon human vanity—exact- ly the same way he did in 1916, when during World War I, hospital ships were hit by mines and tragically sank in the Kea Channel. These ships, now wrecks, include HMHS Britannic and SS Burdigala. EUGENE TOMASHOV It’s July, 2015, Greece. It’s very hot me to the ferry in Lavrio, complains: U-Boat Navigator and the company, U-Boat Malta. outside. Television commentators “Business is very slow. But who said The captain of the Russian-Ukrainian- U-Boat Malta provides services to from various countries are pas- that life is easy?” Maltese crew, Olexandr Stasyukevy- organizations in the fields of marine sionately informing humanity that After an hour’s journey on azure ch, welcomes me onboard U-Boat archaeology, scientific and historical Greece is ready to leave the Europe- seas, I reach Kea Island and find Navigator, the research vessel of research, as well as film.