SeaOrbiter
Proposed oceangoing research vessel
title: "SeaOrbiter" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["research-vessels-of-france", "research-stations", "research-submarines-of-france", "human-analog-missions", "proposed-ships", "2013-in-france", "2013-in-science", "2013-in-transport"] description: "Proposed oceangoing research vessel" topic_path: "geography/france" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SeaOrbiter" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Proposed oceangoing research vessel ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox ship"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| section1 | {{Infobox ship/image |
| image | SeaOrbiter Logo.png |
| image_caption | Official Logo of the SeaOrbiter Project |
| section2 | {{Infobox ship/characteristics |
| type | Research/Semi-submersible |
| height | 51 m |
| :: |
|section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=SeaOrbiter Logo.png |image_caption=Official Logo of the SeaOrbiter Project
|section2={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption= |type= Research/Semi-submersible |displacement= |length= |beam= |height=51 m |depth= |hold_depth= |propulsion= |speed= |range= |test_depth= |crew= |armament= |armor= |notes=
The SeaOrbiter, also known as Sea Orbiter (two words), is a proposed oceangoing research vessel based on the ideas of French architect and oceanographer Jacques Rougerie. Construction was due to start in 2014 but by May 2015, only the Eye of SeaOrbiter has been completed, and as of 2024, there is no news of any other construction.
The SeaOrbiter is planned to allow scientists and others a residential yet mobile research station positioned under the oceans' surface, with laboratories, workshops, living quarters and a pressurized deck to support divers and submarines.
SeaOrbiter is a project of the "Floating oceanographic laboratory" organisation. It is headed by Jacques Rougerie, oceanographer Jacques Piccard and astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien. In 2012 the cost was estimated to be around .
Description
As proposed, the laboratory would be a semi-submersible oceangoing craft weighing 1000 t. It would have a total height of 51 m with 31 m below sea level.
It is designed to float vertically and drift with the ocean currents but has two small propellers allowing it to modify its trajectory and maneuver in confined waters. Underwater robots would be sent from the laboratory to explore the seabed. The hull would be made of an alloy of aluminum and magnesium.
References
References
- "Eye of SeaOrbiter Now Completed".
- Allen, J. B.. (December 2011). "Nature: Open-Water Investigator".
- Steele, Billy. (19 June 2012). "SeaOrbiter to begin construction by year's end, project price tag clocks in at $52.7 million". [[Engadget]].
- "SeaOrbiter Booklet".
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