The race to the world's deepest places is gaining momentum

The stakes have been completed by new players. Already, three teams are fighting a battle against time and the technical problems they encounter on their way to the unexplored depths of the sea

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Recently we informed you about the presentation of Sir Richard Branson‘s submarine – Virgin Oceanic, with the help of which, the team gathered around the project, intends to reach the 5 deepest places in the world, setting about 30 Guinness records at the same time. As it turns out, the Virgin team is not the only one who intends to win the title of pioneers in deep-sea exploration.

Triton Submarines, is the company that this week unveiled a new three-man submarine with which, as part of its “Triton 36000” project, it intends to reach depths of 11km and carry out an exploration of the Mariana Trench, dispelling the fog of mystery shrouding the last place unknown to man – the ocean depths.

The main weapon on which the “Triton 36000” team relies is a special type of borosilicate glass, whose properties, combined with its spherical shape, allow for an incredible increase in resistance to the pressure to which it will be subjected in the depths. It takes 8 months to produce from raw materials to final form, and Rayotek is responsible for its creation. Here is what Bill Raggio had to say:

“Glass becomes stronger when compressed. You could hire a giant squid, give it a big hammer and let it hit with all its might, it won’t do any harm.”

The third horse completing the stakes is James Cameron with his team of Australian engineers. Of all the projects, this is the one we know the least about. So far it has been established that the vehicle will use electric motors and be constructed from lightweight composite materials.

Interestingly, the inspiration for Cameron’s team to create the boat was Steve Fossett’s design, which also served as a model for the design of Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin Oceanic. It is said that James Cameron will use the latest technological advances in the field of video to gather material for his next film, which is to be a sequel to Avatar.

There is no doubt that we are in for an exciting battle for the title of conqueror of the deep. Regardless of which of the three teams will finally raise their hands in a gesture of victory, it will certainly be to the benefit of all mankind, which will finally have a chance to learn the secrets of the deep sea.

Source: http://www.mnn.com/