Limiting Factor, now operated by Gabe Newell, having purchased it from builder, Victor Vescovo. First submersible to reach the five deepest points in Earth's oceans in 2018. 2-person vehicle. My favorite design of the lot, IMO its a thing of pure function and beauty.
Expedition Deep Ocean (TV Show) Series documenting Limiting Factor's exploration of the deep.
Deepsea Challenger, the James Cameron project to reach Challenger Deep in 2012. Single occupant vessel.
Deepsea Challenge (2014) Documentary Documentary of James Cameron's expedition.
Striver, 3-person bathyscaphe vessel designed and built in China. Reached the Challenger Deep in 2020.
I don't find a documentary of Striver, if anyone has a link, please let me know and I will post.
Trieste (bathyscaphe) In 1960, it became the first crewed vessel to reach the bottom of Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in Earth's seabed. Fascinating project, especially for its time.
Trieste documentary
The common thread connecting all of these vessels, is a maniacal focus on safety. To my understanding there has been zero serious safety accidents linked to any of these projects. That's saying quite a bit, considering the extreme environment they operated under.
If you find a mistake, or want me to add a link, just holler. Help Desk hours are from 2-230 each morning, Miercoles.
I believe when Trieste made their record, there was a minor structural failure somewhere, but the pilots decided to keep going because they were so close.
Or at least the doc I saw on it had them recounting hearing a loud metallic pop but not seeing any bad readings on the gauges.
Also insane that they basically flew a blimp of aviation fuel to the bottom of the ocean.
They did experience a loud popping sound. They were told it might happen, and that as long as they were still alive, it wasn't anything more than settling of the vessel assembly. (these sailors definitely have a good sense of gallows humor, if you ask me.) Even with modern vessels, for example with James Cameron's sub, and with Victor Vescovo also, there were popping sounds as the vessel shifted under the immense pressure of the ocean depths. It's almost like that settling is impossible to engineer out of the process.
