[T]he SeaOrbiter has a decidedly futuristic look, and a contemporary purpose. Its mission: to follow the currents and give scientists a platform from which to observe sea creatures on their home turf and to study the interaction between ocean and atmosphere (and their effect on climate).
The slender structure will be tall, but much of it--like an iceberg--will be under water. Drawings show eight central work levels occupying about half the height, and a RedNova news story puts it at 165 feet. Windows on the lower levels are meant to let marine researchers spy on whales and other hard-to-observe creatures; it's hoped that the minimal use of an electric engine will help keep from scaring the sea life away. Underwater sections could also be used for training by astronauts.
And in some unknown New York graveyard Hugo Gernsback's corpse can't stop orgasming. I would like to suggest to the folks who designed this (and hope to build it) that future pitch images should include people flying from level to level using personal jetpacks.
It does sound like an eerily beautiful concept, though. In a different part of the the story, it is indicated that the structure is just supposed to follow ocean currents, observing only what comes close enough to be seen.
SeaOrbiter Website (en Francais)
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