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Former Astronaut Among Divers Encountering Life Forms At Deep Sea Thermal Vents
Orbiting Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is Europa, a moon just slightly smaller than our own. Unlike other natural satellites however, Europa's cratered surface is mostly water ice, and the possibility of liquid water just below the surface has led scientists to question whether life could have evolved there.
The answer to that question may lie with the geological and biological processes discovered in the Atlantic Ocean. Near the Azores, 7,875 feet (2,400m) below the ocean's surface, are the "Rainbow Vents," a field of tall sediment chimneys in constant eruption. These hydrothermal vents -- which are essentially geysers on the sea floor -- support chemical-based ecosystems and house some of the oldest life forms on Earth. Life - as we didn't know it - flourishes there without ever seeing the light of day, in extreme temperatures, and under tremendous pressure.
Today, Space Adventures, Ltd. in partnership with the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology in Moscow and Deep Ocean Expeditions, began a series of dives to the underwater world of the Rainbow Vents in the depths of the mid-Atlantic. Eleven private explorers -- including former U.S. astronaut Owen Garriott -- and four research scientists will witness alien marine life surrounding waterjets with coal-black plumes, multicolored mineral deposits spewed onto the seafloor, and 'pillow lava' formations.
"Just as space tourists help fund continued missions to the space station, each dive supports the scientific efforts being done here," said Mike McDowell, Space Adventures Chairman and expedition leader.
The dives, which began today and continue through July 22, are made using the MIR I and MIR II submersibles, Russian vessels capable of diving to 20,000 feet (6,090m) below the ocean. Housed aboard the RV Akademik Keldysh, the MIRs are two of only five manned submersibles in the world that can reach these depths, and have been used for a number of photography and film projects including James Cameron's epic motion picture Titanic.
Limited interview opportunities with Azores expedition members are available upon request.
Space Adventures, Ltd., the world's leading space tourism company, offers a wide range of space experiences, from zero-gravity and high-altitude supersonic flights, cosmonaut training and space flight qualification programs on Earth, to actual flights into space. Future expeditions include astronomy-related tours of both Hawaii and Australia.
For an updated expedition journal and pictures from the vents, click here.
