Crazy futuristic floating Sea Orbiter

French marine architect Jacques Rougerie has designed a floating research lab called the Sea Orbiter, intended to observe ocean life and the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere. The Sea Orbiter will simply be driven by currents and is designed to have a lifespan of 15 years. And according to the French Musée national de la Marine, the project seems to be moving along at a rapid pace, with its first missions planned for 2008 or 2009, when it will be deployed in the Gulf Stream, eventually making it's way to the Pacific Ocean and then the Indian Ocean. Okay, where can we sign up?

[Clyde @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

I wonder where he got the idea for this lab from? Has anyone seen The Life Aquatic? This lab is a nice concept and I wouldn�t mind working there, surrounded by cool blue water.

[JC @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

While doing some googling for similar items I came across this - http://www.poseidonresorts.com/ . If you can afford the estimated $US1500/night it could be stunning experience.

[Max @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

I'd work there for free.

...And I'd do it for the entire 15 years straight!

[Cakes @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Is it just me, or is this just a 'shopped picture of the towers in Giants: Citizen Kabuto?

[uclatommy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

looks like a futuristic ocean resort..

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

I saw The Life Aquatic and the first thing I thought was "Hey, that's the Henessy Research Lab".

[Jason Anderson @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

I'd go on a cruise on one if they made it... and made it cheap to cruise on. Cruises ain't cheap sadly.

Still, cool concept, it really should be made into a cruise um.. "ship".

[dangle @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

what happens when this thing runs aground? I mean it better be made of rubber or something, because it looks as if it protrudes rather deeply. I can see it ripping up coral beds as it gracefully follows a current into a gyre. Or worse, stalls out in the antarctic and becomes icebound for 15 + years.

[Clyde @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Perhaps it uses sonar to help steer it away from obsticles.

[Shawn Barnett @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Looks cool floating in that placid sea with all the birdies and fishies. I wonder how it'd handle the several hundred storms it's likely to float into? I'm not sure I'd want to stay on there like the rest of you when it's doing aerial flips in 100 foot seas. But I'm sure they've thought of that. Rubber rooms perhaps, or inflatable duckie rings.

[Kevin Archie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Wow. Just look at that calm-as-a-lake ocean. Hmmm. This is my dubious face. Have you BEEN on the ocean? In a storm? How bout a tsunami? :)

Someone call Captain Murphy, this is SeaLab 2005!

[Alice Radley @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

I may be alone on ths one, but I think it looks like the really expensive and gorgeous hotel in Dubai http://www.burj-al-arab.com/ check it out.

[Jablome, Heywood @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

I believe Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played tennis on a helipad which was turned into a tennis court. You can see the video here:

http://www.atptennis.com/en/tvshow/?AssetID=877

[otakucode @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Hmmm... international waters....

Wonder what they're doing with this place after its 15 year lifespan is up? Would make a great place for a no-holds-barred pleasure resort.

[mac @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

#11) "How bout a tsunami? :)"

A tsunami races across the ocean bottom. The waves rise to their deadly height because of the coast line pushing them up when they reach land. In the middle of the ocean, a tsunami might resemble a little tiny bump (if not even felt at all) - not something to fear.

[NguyenVanThoc @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

"Hmmm... international waters...."

I was thinking the same thing; how about a good old-fashioned monkey knife fight?

[gabe @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Now if only I didn't have to deal with those jerks in pod 6.