Living on the Seafloor. (Design Issues on Underwater Habitats. 2nd part). The pioneers: Why living underwater

Pushing the limits of the human body, populate extreme environments and the study of the nature of our oceans are the main reasons for the construction of underwater habitats.
The psychological and physiological response of the human body under pressure and isolation at different depths were studied in detail by Cousteau using three different habitats in France, the Conshelf I, II and III from 1961 until 1965. The US Navy and NASA also tested characteristics in design of the habitats for the pressure, interior architecture for living and safety issues on different habitats during the 60’s. [1], [2]
NASA has been using underwater habitats since the beginning of the Space program as part of regular training for astronauts; La Chalupa (now Jules’ Undersea Lodge), with the Tektite and the US Sea Lab II, were used for astronauts during the research for the Gemini missions. The MarineLab and the Scott Carpenter Station habitats were used in preliminary research for the Mars mission. The Neemo project is a regular training program for astronauts that use the Aquarius habitat. [3], [4]
Scientists at the National Undersea Research Center are still pushing the limits of the body living underwater at large depths with the Deep Sea Space Stations project on the continental shelf in Long Island Sound and the Penguin Bank next to Oahu Island. This program includes the study of life in communities underwater to populate the oceans and fish farming among others. [2]
Underwater investigation and scientific research of the biology and geology of the seas has been the main driving purposes of habitat construction also. NOAA’s Aquarius on the Florida Keys, besides the NASA Neemo program and US Navy saturation training program, also collaborated with the University of North Carolina on coral reef, seaweed, fish and sponges ecosystems researches among others. [4]

The Aquarius Habitat at the Florida Keys [4]

Atlantis II project of MIT, aimed to investigate the Abyssal hydrothermal vent fields, the geology of the area, the ecosystem that live in those extreme pressures and temperatures and organism that use chemosynthetic energy. [5]
Even though science and research have been important for habitats development, new investment is coming for other purposes. The technology is already at a stage where pleasure is getting involved in habitat development. Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo is one of the first underwater hotels that can offer a nice underwater suite with hot water shower, air conditioning, DVD, unlimited dives and other luxuries. The habitat can accommodate up to six people, a scientist team, a group of astronauts on training, or a newly wed couple. [6]
From Jules Verne novel “20.000 Leagues under the Sea” to “The Abyss” and “The Sphere”, writers and movie makers have been using the subject of living underwater to touch the soul of the lovers of the Oceans.
People are looking for new environments and the sea offers unimaginable beauties that lead the industry to develop new ways to explode that interest and make the oceans part of the normal life of the public.