X

Going deep: Misson 31 aquanauts set to submerge (pictures)

A long time in the making, Fabien Cousteau's 31-day undersea expedition begins. Check out some of the equipment they're taking along.

Anne Dujmovic
Anne Dujmovic was a senior editor at CNET. Her areas of focus included the climate crisis, democracy and inclusive language. She believes in the power of great journalism and art, and the magic of tardigrades.
Anne Dujmovic
liz-mageephoto-creditkipevans.jpg
1 of 6 Kip Evans

Fabien Cousteau, grandson of famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, and a team of fellow aquanauts on Sunday will dive down to Aquarius Reef Base, an undersea lab 63 feet down in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. They plan to make the school-bus-size lab their home for 31 days, while exploring the deep and conducting scientific research -- all the while broadcasting the mission live.

Liz Magee, seen here next to Aquarius Reef Base, will be part of the second wave of aquanauts joining the expedition.

mattferrarofabiencousteauphotocreditkipevans.jpg
2 of 6 Kip Evans

Matt Ferraro (left), director of photography, and Cousteau during training for Mission 31.

A monthlong mission takes extensive planning. That includes preparing in case something goes wrong.

"This is a very serious endeavor," Cousteau said in an earlier interview. "Physically you have to be in very good shape. It's very much like going into outer space." In fact, many astronauts become aquanauts at Aquarius to train for space missions.

grace-youngphoto-creditmarcostrick.jpg
3 of 6 Marc Ostrick

Aquanaut Grace Young gets some help with her Kirby Morgan diving helmet during training for the mission.

The team has been doing some intensive training leading up to the mission. That includes simulating emergencies.  They don't expect to have to use that training, but it's necessary, Cousteau says.

fabien-cousteauphoto-creditbrianhall.jpg
4 of 6 Brian Hall

Outside Aquarius Reef Base, Cousteau tests camera equipment.

photo-creditmarcostrickwp20140520174815pro.jpg
5 of 6 Marc Ostrick

Mission 31 aquanauts will use this custom camera housing by Watershot to help capture images underwater during the expedition.

nokia-lumia-devicesmarcostrick.jpg
6 of 6 Marc Ostrick

The aquanauts will use Nokia Lumia 1020 smartphones with custom housing by Watershot during their time down below. Nokia is one of the sponsors of the monthlong expedition.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos