413 



The Geological Oceanography program will observe sedimentological 

 processes. Current measurements and time-lapse photography will be used to 

 support the sediment transport studies. Work in the engineering phase involves 

 communications, evaluation of diving equipment and extensive engineering evalu- 

 ation of the sea floor habitat and systems. The construction experiment will help 

 determine the ability of divers to assemble structures on the ocean floor. Salvage 

 techniques will be tested, such as a chemical bottom overlay spray to reduce bottom 

 turbidity and salvage lift systems. Tools such as explosive cable cutters, stud 

 drivers, and electric powered hand tools will be evaluated. Human performance 

 will be measured during execution of various work in salvage operations to develop 

 procedures and work doctrines. During the experiment, the aquanauts will be ob- 

 served by a closed circuit television, monitored by open microphones and extensive- 

 ly interviewed. The living compartment is essentially a cylindrical pressure 

 vessel 57 feet long by 12 feet in diameter. Two 8 X 12 foot square rooms are 

 attached to the bottom of the hull. One serves as a diving station with diving 

 lockers, diving gear, hot showers and an open hatch for access to the sea. 



The other is an observation and storage compartment fitted with latge 

 portholes, a refrigerator-freezer unit and an emergency escape hatch. The living 

 compartment is divided into a laboratory, galley and bunk room. Electric power, 

 fresh water, commvuiications, television links, and other life support needs are 

 supplied through lines to the surface from the "Elk River" surface support vessel. 



The "Elk River" is equipped with two deck compression chambers each 

 designed to support four divers during the six hour decompression period needed 

 to return saturated divers from the pressure foTond at 600 feet to normal atmos- 

 pheric conditions. A pressurized elevator system known as the Personnel 

 Transfer Capsule will transport divers from the ship to the bottom habitat. This 

 capsule also mates with the deck decompression chambers so that at all times 

 whether on deck, or at 600 feet, the aquanauts can be kept at pressures equivalent 

 to the ambient ocean pressures at the bottom. 



Tektite I 



On February 15th, four aquanauts entered the water off Beehive Cove, St. 

 John, Virgin Islands, and entered an underwater capsule moored 42 feet below the 

 surface to begin living in it for two months - twice as long as man has dwelt sub- 

 merged before. The long range purpose of this $2.5 million joint federal agency 

 program is to open exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf. Unlike 

 Sealab III, which is a Navy project, Tektite is non-military. Three of the four 

 aquanauts are employees of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and one is with 

 the United States Geological Survey. 



The capsule was built by the Missile & Space Division of the General 



