Nasa onboard with world's deepest pool plans

Elliot Ball
BBC News, South West
Blue Abyss A virtual image showing workers in blue uniform stand around a large square pool that has various space crafts inside it.Blue Abyss
The pool is planned to be built at Aerohub Enterprise Zone at Cornwall Airport

Nasa's Glenn Research Center has signed an agreement with a company that plans to build the world's deepest pool in Cornwall for sea and space research.

Blue Abyss has applied for planning permission to build the pool on a 10-acre (four-hectare) site at the Aerohub Enterprise Zone at Cornwall Airport, Newquay.

A Blue Abyss spokesperson said the signing of the Space Act Agreement marked an "important step in the future of commercial space training and research".

They added: "Nasa and Blue Abyss will collaborate to explore innovative solutions for training and conducting research that addresses challenges in low Earth orbit, cis-lunar, lunar and Martian environments."

'Significant player'

John Vickers, chief executive at privately-owned Blue Abyss, said: "As we develop next-generation infrastructure, including our proposed facilities in the US and UK, it helps position the UK as a significant player in the space sector."

He also said it supported "industry growth, consultancy, training, and infrastructure development that will attract international clients and foster innovation within the UK space industry".

Blue Abyss A hangar with Glenn Research Center written on the front. The photograph is taken at night with the building illuminated by lights. Blue Abyss
Planning permission has been submitted to build the world's deepest pool in Cornwall

Ross Hulbert, head of engagement at Spaceport Cornwall, added: "We'd like to extend our huge congratulations to everyone at Blue Abyss on their new partnership with Nasa's Glenn Research Center.

"This collaboration not only showcases their incredible capabilities but also solidifies the UK's role in advanced space and subsea training."

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