Space is currently all the fashion, but it cannot compete with the mysteries of the deep blue sea.

Just ask one group of scientists, who will forego the cool-kid cosmos in order to study the complexities of the ocean by residing on the ocean floor. Yves Béhar, a Swiss architect, has unveiled plans for a new research station that will be located 60 feet underwater. The structure, which will be named Proteus after the Greek ocean deity, will span 4,000 square feet, making it three or four times the size of previous underwater habitats, which are typically the size of a school bus. The station will enable twelve researchers to investigate marine life while living in the ocean full-time.
Proteus is the creation of the Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Centre, a non-profit organisation dedicated to ocean education and conservation. Grandson of renowned ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Fabien Cousteau envisioned Proteus as an underwater version of the International Space Station. This sea station, like its star-faring cousin, will shelter scientists and academics conducting research for over a month. The high-tech centre will provide all the equipment found in an oceanographer’s laboratory, allowing researchers to examine the effects of climate change on the ocean, extricate valuable biocompounds, and discover new species of marine life. It could also be used to prepare astronauts for space travel.

It appears adequately futuristic. Béhar envisions the underwater station as a single large habitat with modular pods affixed around it. They can serve as laboratories, living quarters, restrooms, life support systems, and medical bays, among other functions.

Additionally, Proteus will house the first underwater video production facility, which will provide continuous educational livestreaming. There will also be a greenhouse where residents can grow fresh fruits and vegetables, another first in the marine realm.

“In many ways, Proteus is our generation’s Moon landing,” Costeau explained in a statement. “Before it became a reality, the Moon mission was a dream that few believed could come true. I would like to explore the oceans of Mars, but until we can travel there and return safely, the Earth’s oceans contain the secrets to our future.”