deep, the ocean exploration and technology company, is creating habitats for extended human sea exploration. “the ocean, especially its depths, remains one of humanity’s last frontiers,” said sean wolpert, deep’s president.
the first habitat, vanguard, is set to launch by the end of 2025. measuring 12 meters in length and 7.5 meters in width, it will house up to three individuals at depths of 100 meters. it’s designed for short-term missions, paving the way for sentinel, a larger habitat expected in 2027. sentinel will support up to six occupants for 28-day missions at depths of 200 meters, featuring wet and dry labs and a moon pool for seamless ocean access.
enhancing ocean exploration and security
deep likens itself to spacex, positioning its habitats as transformative tools for global navies and research organizations.
“there’s growing interest from global navies due to the importance of monitoring undersea infrastructure,” wolpert noted. subsea cables and pipelines, which transmit most global internet traffic and transport oil and gas, are increasingly vulnerable to sabotage. recent incidents, like the nord stream pipeline sabotage in 2022, highlight this threat.
sentinel’s potential extends to biology, serving as a research station for studying deep-sea ecosystems and even as a tourist attraction, offering immersive underwater experiences.
“our goal is to make the ocean as exciting as space,” wolpert said. “we aim to inspire innovation and attract the brightest minds to explore and protect our oceans.”
Cutting-Edge Manufacturing
Sentinel is being constructed using advanced wire-arc additive manufacturing, a form of metal 3D printing by robots. This approach minimizes waste and ensures the habitat withstands deep-sea pressure.
The modular design allows for easy reassembly and redeployment. “You can customize the structure, such as converting bunks into laboratories, maintaining connectivity with surface labs,” Wolpert explained.
While Vanguard’s initial deployment site is still undecided, DEEP is in talks with clients across Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
“We’ve explored space, near space, and land, but the ocean remains a vast, underexplored frontier,” Wolpert added. DEEP’s habitats aim to bridge the gap between humanity and the deep sea.