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AARG PIRATE - About Us
The Paired In-situ Research Analog and Technology Evaluation (PIRATE) project is the non-simulation project branch of AARG. PIRATE missions are designed to target facilities and locations required for specific analog research projects that do not require a full mission simulation like what AARG conducts at ILMAH and MDRS. The current focus of PIRATE is to build partnerships with undersea facilities and shape the program’s diving and undersea analog research portfolio and competencies.
Our
Story
AARG’s actions to enable undersea space analog research for APUS students began in early 2022. Discussions with Aquarius Reef Base, popular for hosting many of the NASA NEEMO missions, led to two students attending Aquarius Reef Base’s week-long Introduction to Saturation course in December 2022. Continued planning at Aquarius resulted in a scheduled 4-day multi-university research project utilizing the Aquarius habitat in January 2024. However, this project is currently delayed due to ongoing habitat maintenance.
The resources for the January 2024 mission shifted to conducting an overnight stay inside Jules Undersea Lodge, which is the former Puerto Rico International Undersea Laboratory. Jules was the site of the recent Neptune 100 mission, a 100-day, 1-person mission with a focus on hyperbaric physiology and a goal of progressing both diving and space research. Students and faculty from both APUS and the University of North Dakota will stay overnight in the Jules habitat conducting research, educational outreach, and learning what it takes to live and work underwater.
https://amuedge.com/aquarius-the-worlds-only-undersea-research-laboratory
Meet the Team
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Our Research & Outreach
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During PIRATE, Scott Van Hoy is conducting a pilot study investigating the usability and feasibility of using a portable ultrasound system to measure the inter-variability of decompression stress after saturation dives.
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Dr. Kristin Drexler is providing outreach and education for Ms. Wang's 5th-grade science class in San Jose, California. She'll record a video for Ms. Wang's students on topics such as SCUBA diving, Jule's habitat and science research there, and marine and coastal ecology, among other topics.
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Luis Gonzalez is doing outreach with Niceville High School. It is one of the few high schools with a scuba diving team conducting global research on behalf of the Natural Geography In-Shore Areas (NaGISA). The organization aims to better understand the coastal waters impacted by human activity. Luis hopes to help showcase future scientific diving opportunities to the students of Niceville High.
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Olivia Turner is conducting habitat reconnaissance and testing research equipment for future missions. By surveying the habitat and surrounding area, she will gather information, identify potential risks or opportunities, and determine the feasibility and next steps in research projects.