Aquarius is an ideal platform for advanced sensor development and long-term monitoring of coastal oceans and coral reefs. Saturation diving gives aquanauts 10 times more bottom time than traditional divers have to conduct studies and training operations. This unique capability has enabled a range of one-of-a-kind missions that would not be possible otherwise.
Research Areas
Marine Ecosystem Science and Long-Term Monitoring
Aquarius provides scientists with the opportunity to conduct crucial research covering a variety of areas including water quality, coral reef biology, ecology and physiology, long-term ocean monitoring, restoration science, ocean acidification, and global climate change.
Undersea Equipment Testing
Aquarius provides extended presence in a real underwater environment, surpassing the capabilities of no-decompression scuba diving or most ship-based facilities for equipment testing. In this capacity, Aquarius can evaluate the latest technologies in ocean observing, forecasting and modeling, reef monitoring, and extreme environment equipment.
Training and Procedure Development
Through partnerships with NASA, the U.S. Navy, and others, Aquarius serves as a space analog, training platform, and remote telemedicine testing facility. Studies include human physiological responses to extreme environments, spacewalk and lunar excursion procedures.
Publications
Research conducted at the Aquarius facility has yielded hundreds of studies.
Past Missions
Since 1993, the Aquarius undersea lab has supported more than 150 missions, producing over 600 peer-reviewed scientific publications along with numerous popular science articles and educational programs.
Contact Us
FIU Aquarius Reef Base
85932 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
Inquiries: aquarius@fiu.edu or contact a team member