/sci/ - Science & Math

Now, several organizations and individuals are producing next generation, state of the art (and in some cases hydrobatic) submersibles that will take man back to the Challenger Deep and also four other deep oceanic trenches around the world. It's a "race to inner space". Aside from rpize money and prestige, two competitors plan to offer tourist trips to the Challenger Deep; Sir Richard Branson's "Virgin Oceanic", and US Submarines aboard their Triton 36,000. Other competitors include James Cameron, and famous oceanographer Sylvia Earle.

Pic related.

Links:
www.virginoceanic.com
www.race2innerspace.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17041438
http://www.doermarine.com/?page_id=704
http://www.txchnologist.com/2011/txch-today-the-challenger-deep-james-cameron-vs-richard-branson

>>4360077
>How much of the ocean's floor has been explored? Can you give an approximate percentage?

An area roughly equivalent to west virginia, just under 5% as of the most recent ten year marine life census. None of that included the abyssal plain, as we only recently upgraded Alvin such that it can reach those depths, and even now it can't reach the deepest parts of the abyssal plain, much less any trenches. That's why this competition is such a big deal, it's providing the funding we needed for the development of next gen subs using new materials that will totally leapfrog all existing submersibles in terms of maximum depth capability.