The first British astronaut to venture to the deepest ocean depths humans have ever reachedBritish-born private astronaut Richard Garriott de Cayeux, aka Lord British, will be the first male astronaut who will have both orbited the Earth and been to the deepest place humans have ever reached.
Richard has already explored the North and South Poles, lived and worked in earth orbit aboard the International Space Station, and been on expeditions across all seven continents and deep submersible dives to targets such as Titanic, hydrothermal vents, and deep wrecks. But now, he will add the Challenger Deep of the Marianas Trench to the list.
At the end of February 2021 Richard is to dive greater than 10,000 meters under the Pacific in a Caladan Oceanic expedition in US company Triton's 36000/2 submersible, the Limiting Factor, named by its owner Victor Vescovo. Only three other submarines have made it to the bottom of Challenger Deep – about the same number of people as have walked on the moon.
Limiting Factor has been designed by Devon-based team John Ramsay and Tom Blades, who have also made submersibles for the BBC David Attenborough nature series Planet Earth 2.
The only vehicle ever constructed to be capable of multiple dives to full ocean depth, Limiting Factor has been pressure tested (in a test chamber) to 14,000 metres. Richard will be kept alive by the 90mm thick titanium sphere and experience no pressure changes.
Chief Scientist for the mission is Newcastle University marine biologist Dr. Alan Jamieson.
Science and the study of these rarely visited depths are the main focus of the expedition.
In addition to new detailed mapping, the science team will deploy landers to collect different biological samples and shoot valuable video footage. Over 40 new species have already been identified, with this number expected to rise significantly. The dives will assess and document environmental impact, including plastic pollution, at the oceans' deepest point. On the Limiting Factor's previous dives to Challenger Deep, both new species and discarded plastic were found. Richard will be inspiring British children about the wonders of the ocean through Venture to the Deep — with fun STEAM (science, technology, engineering art, and mathematic challenges).
Richard has a personal interest in extremophile life forms, having already made notable discoveries in samples returned from deep-sea hydrothermal vent sites he has visited, as well as other terrestrial thermal sites. Perhaps these depths shelter unique pressure-resistant microbes to be discovered on this expedition!
Richard is a lifetime member of the Explorers Club. Richard is a second-generation astronaut who visited the International Space Station in October 2008. His mission to the spacestation was notable for its education outreach programme designed in partnership with the UK Space Agency and Venture Thinking. On his 12 day mission to the International Space Station, Richard performed magic, tricks, directed the first film made in space, and secretly took Star Trek actor James Doohan's ashes on board.
Richard Garriott de Cayeux said: "Traveling to extreme environments, is of great scientific and inspirational value. As a child my parents instilled the passion for exploring and observing as a method of learning and understanding. As an adult, I find inspiration in exploring what often feels like alien environments, and am pleased that we have often been able to make important scientific contributions along the way."
Heather MacRae, Director of Venture Thinking said, "Richard is sharing his expedition with 1000s of children across the UK, encouraging them to bring their creativity and curiosity to new depths. On his journey up and down the water column Richard will be celebrating student work and answering their questions about the ocean."
Rob McCallum, Founding Partner of EYOS Expeditions, said,"This is the most exclusive destination on Earth. The expedition will use Caladan Oceanic's submersible Limiting Factor, which has been pressure tested (in a test chamber) to 14,000 metres. Inside of the sub is quiet, peaceful and very relaxing."