Accession Number:

ADA076258

Title:

Technical Assistance in Connection with Tektite I to Department of the Navy.

Descriptive Note:

Summary rept.,

Corporate Author:

BATTELLE MEMORIAL INST COLUMBUS OHIO COLUMBUS LABS

Personal Author(s):

• Adkins ,D. E.
• Coyle,A. J.

Report Date:

1969-08-20

Pagination or Media Count:

79.0

Abstract:

Tektite I was the first undersea program to be undertaken by a group of Federal agencies, in cooperation with private industry. Four marine scientists from the Department of the Interior lived for a period of 60 days, beginning February 15, 1969, in the Tektite I habitat on the ocean floor at a depth of about 50 feet. During this time the aquanauts breathed a nitrogenoxygen gas mixture where the percentage of oxygen by volume was approximately equivalent to that at the surface. The site for this pioneering saturation dive was Great Lameshur Bay, St. John, Virgin Islands, chosen for its favorable climate, clear waters, and abundant undersea plant and animal life. The aquanauts lived in a marine laboratory, both on the ocean floor and in the habitat working spaces. This environment provided an unprecedented opportunity for intimate long-term marine investigations. While the scientists were conducting their underwater research mission, they were continuously observed by Navy and NASA behavioral and biomedical teams. Very complete psychological and physiological data were obtained identifying mans reactions to a long-term mission performed in an isolated, hostile environment common to both undersea and manned space missions. This report deals mainly with problem areas uncovered during the mission with habitat and support equipment hardware as well as with the evaluation of certain procedural items. No attempt has been made to describe the operation and functions of all the equipment discussed this description has been left to those with original and ultimate responsibility in each area.

Descriptors:

• *LOGISTICS SUPPORT
• *OCEANOGRAPHY
• *AQUANAUTS
• *UNDERWATER LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
• NAVAL RESEARCH
• MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT
• UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
• UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT
• TEKTITE
• UNDERWATER TOOLS

Subject Categories:

• Personnel Management and Labor Relations
• Physical and Dynamic Oceanography
• Logistics, Military Facilities and Supplies
• Life Support Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE