Comments on: Manned or Unmanned? http://deepseanews.com/2010/02/manned-or-unmanned/ All the news on the Earth's largest environment. Wed, 23 May 2012 14:14:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Julie http://deepseanews.com/2010/02/manned-or-unmanned/comment-page-1/#comment-10253 Julie Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:02:38 +0000 http://deepseanews.com/?p=7006#comment-10253 As someone who was lucky enough to be a part of a research cruise on the R/V Seward Johnson, and ridiculously lucky enough to go down on the submersible Johnson-Sea-Link, it's hard for me to say that unmanned deep-sea exploration should be the wave of the future. Being able to go DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN is one of the coolest things I'll ever have the privilege of doing. Seeing it on a video screen (even 3D) just doesn't compare to actually being there. But with costs, safety considerations, and all the other logistical stuff, I totally understand why people are moving in the direction of unmanned vehicles. It's just a little sad for the kids who want to grow up to be explorers. Exploring via video feeds lacks something... As someone who was lucky enough to be a part of a research cruise on the R/V Seward Johnson, and ridiculously lucky enough to go down on the submersible Johnson-Sea-Link, it’s hard for me to say that unmanned deep-sea exploration should be the wave of the future.

Being able to go DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN is one of the coolest things I’ll ever have the privilege of doing. Seeing it on a video screen (even 3D) just doesn’t compare to actually being there. But with costs, safety considerations, and all the other logistical stuff, I totally understand why people are moving in the direction of unmanned vehicles. It’s just a little sad for the kids who want to grow up to be explorers. Exploring via video feeds lacks something…

]]> By: BrianR http://deepseanews.com/2010/02/manned-or-unmanned/comment-page-1/#comment-10248 BrianR Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:14:51 +0000 http://deepseanews.com/?p=7006#comment-10248 This is a fantastic post, thanks for writing it. This whole discussion of the virtues and limitations of manned and unmanned exploration is healthy I think. But, one thing that bothers me a little bit is how, like so many discussions, it's turned into a false choice. Why can't we do both? Why does it have to be manned vs. unmanned? I'm not accusing this post specifically, but just the general tone of the discussion throughout the blogs. This is a fantastic post, thanks for writing it.

This whole discussion of the virtues and limitations of manned and unmanned exploration is healthy I think. But, one thing that bothers me a little bit is how, like so many discussions, it’s turned into a false choice. Why can’t we do both? Why does it have to be manned vs. unmanned?

I’m not accusing this post specifically, but just the general tone of the discussion throughout the blogs.

]]> By: Dr. M http://deepseanews.com/2010/02/manned-or-unmanned/comment-page-1/#comment-10238 Dr. M Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:50:03 +0000 http://deepseanews.com/?p=7006#comment-10238 Jason, Check this out http://deepseanews.com/2009/07/the-new-navy-has-both-faster-and-unmanned-subs/ Jason,
Check this out http://deepseanews.com/2009/07/the-new-navy-has-both-faster-and-unmanned-subs/

]]> By: Jason R http://deepseanews.com/2010/02/manned-or-unmanned/comment-page-1/#comment-10237 Jason R Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:46:49 +0000 http://deepseanews.com/?p=7006#comment-10237 And you have to believe that in the near future the images coming back from remote vehicles will be even more immersive and impressive, especially if 3D screen technology becomes more widely adopted. It'd be neat to see those hydorthermal vents in real-time stereoscopy. However, I am curious if our Navy is pursuing unmanned technology. Will there be robotic predator submarines prowling the seas of our future? Seems a likely scenario. Or does national defense require a large, buoyant, air-filled cavity moving underneath the waves? And you have to believe that in the near future the images coming back from remote vehicles will be even more immersive and impressive, especially if 3D screen technology becomes more widely adopted. It’d be neat to see those hydorthermal vents in real-time stereoscopy. However, I am curious if our Navy is pursuing unmanned technology. Will there be robotic predator submarines prowling the seas of our future? Seems a likely scenario. Or does national defense require a large, buoyant, air-filled cavity moving underneath the waves?

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