In a column for Space, Michaela Musilova reported that her four-person crew completed a mission by spending five days living underwater in Key Largo, Florida. Musilova noted that the mission, named SEA STAR, provided a way to conduct analog, or simulated, space missions.
Jules' Undersea Lab Hosts Five-Day Aquanaut Mission
The crew completed their mission inside Jules' Undersea Lab, located 22 feet (7 meters) beneath the surface in Key Largo, Florida, as Space reported. By remaining underwater for more than 24 hours without returning to the surface, the four participants officially earned the title of aquanauts through a physiological state known as saturation. During this period, the human body absorbs the maximum possible amount of inert gas like nitrogen for a specific depth and pressure. Musilova stated that the crew faced constant loud noises from life support systems, bathroom plumbing issues, and health concerns linked to living under pressure.
Cognitive Studies and Microgreens Testing Under Pressure
Musilova managed the crew and oversaw research projects alongside her own scientific focus on cognitive abilities and reaction times. Working in collaboration with the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ostrava and City Hospital Ostrava in the Czech Republic, the crew observed that their response times to cognitive tests slowed down during the underwater mission. Health and Safety Officer Dr. Brandy Nunez grew kale and super salad mix both before and during the mission. The researchers transferred seeds into the habitat using gradual and sudden pressure release settings, observing barotrauma in seeds subjected to sudden pressure increases.
Logistical Testing and Educational Outreach Activities
Executive Officer Paul Bakken managed the internal pressure of logistical transfer containers during environmental changes, while Mission Specialist Jenn Pint collaborated with Interstellar Performance Labs to develop a taxonomy for environmental and crew interaction factors. The crew also conducted neutral buoyancy experiments during scuba dives and tested environmental sensors developed by students in Slovakia. During the mission, the crew connected via video call with the Cosmic Region simulated space station in Slovakia to provide an educational tour of the underwater habitat.
Aquanaut Return to Surface and Decompression Precautions
The mission concluded when the crew donned scuba gear for one final dive to exit the underwater habitat. The divers took a roundabout route through the surrounding lagoon to allow their bodies to adjust safely to lower pressures before breaching the surface. Musilova noted that despite the shallow 22-foot depth, aquanauts face a small risk of decompression-related problems following extended saturation periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About the SEA STAR Mission
What depth was the Jules' Undersea Lab located at during the SEA STAR mission?
The habitat sat at a depth of 22 feet (7 meters) underwater in Key Largo, Florida. The crew remained submerged there for a total of five days.
Which academic institutions collaborated on the cognitive reaction time study?
The study involved a partnership with the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ostrava and City Hospital Ostrava in the Czech Republic.
How many crew members participated in the underwater simulation?
Four crew members participated in the mission: Michaela Musilova, Paul Bakken, Dr. Brandy Nunez, and Jenn Pint.
Keep reading