Mark Megahan
French “adventurer” Alban Michon Plans to spend an entire winter encased in Arctic ice for science. His futuristic habitat is meant to test the boundaries of isolation in closed environments. Being frozen under 32 feet of ice forces conservation and resourcefulness. Before humans start sailing across the vast interplanetary distances to colonies on Mars or Europa, its a good idea to practice for it where there is still a safety net if things go unexpectedly wrong.
Encased in Arctic ice
The high tech underwater laboratory will be firmly anchored to the sea floor of the Arctic Ocean at a depth of 10 meters. That will be done long before ice forms above it in autumn, sealing the habitat in for the winter.
At least Alban Michon and his three cohabitants won’t have to worry about annoying door-to-door solicitors. They’ll be virtually trapped inside for six months but they do have emergency access plans, just in case.
Growing up, 45-year-old Michon’s big hero was Jacques Cousteau. He’s scrounging up the capitol to fund his project and so far has around 10% of the 14 million euros he needs to get it launched by late 2025.
He chose the Arctic for his experiment because he’s researching the impact of global warming on the region. He calls his new home an “Innovative Oceanographic and Spatial Research Base.”
He’ll be swimming in the flippers of inspirational oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau who set up his own underwater base off Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in France. His team lived in it for a month.
Michon wants to stay down six times as long, in frozen arctic conditions. At least the team will have a full 78 feet to wander around in. The habitat is 7.5 feet in diameter.
Continuing Cousteau’s momentum
“Thanks to the evolution of new technologies,” Michon beams, “we are continuing Commander Cousteau’s momentum.” His base will feature a panoramic view of the sea at the front, until it’s a panoramic view of solid ice. “After six months it will start to melt.”
“What we want to do is spend almost an entire season under the sea, caught under the ice.” He’s looking forward to the peace and quiet. Totally encased in arctic ice “would allow scientists to experience an ‘environment a bit like a fetus in its mother’s tummy.’” Only a lot colder.
“We will be the first people to live in the heart of the Arctic Ocean in fact.” They’re calling it the “Biodysseus Mission” and it will involve “Michon and his team testing cutting-edge technologies while living off recycled air, water and energy.”
Hopefully, they will have better luck than that team who tried it in the desert near Tucson with the “Biosphere Two” project. Technology has improved a lot since then.
“The Biodysseus mission is a world first. With my team, we are going to live confined for several months under the Arctic Ocean,” he posted on his website. “Because the Arctic is warming up four times faster than the rest of the world, I therefore decided to go on an adventure and create the first Underwater Oceanographic & Spatial Research Base dedicated to science and technology.”
The design’s “environmental footprint will be reduced as much as possible, meets several objectives: transportable, modular, scalable and long-lasting.“
