Reminiscent of the ‘age of discovery’ when explorers took to the sea in hopes of discovering new lands – today the adventure continues with James Cameron‘s successful ‘solo-sub’ journey to the deepest point of the ocean ‘Marina Trench’.
A quest of research and endeavour that marks a new dawn in discovery and sets the precedent for further exploration of the deep. This historical event reflects years of planning, engineering genius and an unrivalled spirit for adventure – as Cameron (aged 57) underwent months of physical preparation ‘yoga and running’ to acclimate his body for the confined conditions within the sub, in addition to educating himself on the logistics of navigating the vessel.
Aptly named Deep Challenger, the 12-ton sub performed exceptionally well withstanding pressures equivalent of three SUVs sitting on your toe (according to huffington post) and at speeds ‘faster-than-expected’ as National Geographic reported a 70 minute ascent.
Surpassing the 1960 expedition of equal depth by Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh, a U.S. Navy captain which lasted approximately 20 minutes – Cameron spent a little over three hours at a depth of 35,756 feet (more than a mile deeper than Mt. Everest) before he began his return to the surface, according to information provided by the expedition team.
The film director has been an oceanography enthusiast since childhood and has made 72 deep-sea submersible dives. Thirty-three of those dives have been to the wreckage of the Titanic, the subject of his 1997 hit film, which is being released in a 3-D version next month.
Read an in-depth account of this historic event at: National Geographic Daily News
Checkout the Official Website: Deepsea Challenge
Source: Huffington Post
