We work for the Schmidt Ocean Institute, a non-profit established to advance oceanographic research of the ocean through exploration, innovation and data sharing. This is the first submersible vehicle SOI has built. Before SuBastian, SOI rented scientific robots to launch off our retrofitted ship, Falkor (an ex-German fishery protection vessel). Yes, both Falkor and SuBastian get their names from The Neverending Story. Every year we open a call for expressions of interest. Scientists from around the world can apply for ship time, and we’re really focusing on high-risk, high-reward, cutting-edge science that wouldn’t normally get funded by traditional funding agencies. Humanity still knows very little about the deep ocean. The ROV was built to have the power of a rugby player but the dexterity of a neurosurgeon - it is powerful and precise. It is able to take 4k video, sample underwater thermal vents and collect samples 2.8 miles below the ocean’s surface: conditions where where darkness, near-freezing temperatures and intense pressure are just a few of the obstacles, and the ROV is able to stay underwater for days as needed. This summer the ROV crew is testing SuBastian in the open ocean, and in November they will conduct scientific experiments near Hydrothermal Vents in the Marianas Trench. We will be back at 4 pm ET to answer your questions, Ask us anything!