OceanGate Expeditions co-founder Guillermo Söhnlein has set an ambitious goal to send 1,000 humans to Venus by the year 2050. The announcement comes at a time when the company is under investigation for the deadly incident involving its submersible, ‘Titan’, during an expedition to the wreckage of the Titanic ship.
The submersible, carrying five passengers, went missing on June 18 and was later confirmed to have imploded, resulting in the death of all on board. The US Coast Guard discovered debris from the submersible on June 22 after reports of running out of oxygen.
Despite the ongoing investigation and concerns about safety, Söhnlein remains undeterred in his vision. He compared his aspiration to Elon Musk’s SpaceX goal of sending millions of people to Mars. OceanGate’s approach is focused on developing cheap crewed submersibles for deep-sea exploration, with the technologies developed in the process potentially aiding human space travel.
Söhnlein envisions a floating colony on Venus, taking advantage of a specific area in its atmosphere where humans could theoretically survive. This area is about 30 miles from the planet’s surface, where temperatures are lower and pressure is less intense. However, the logistics of establishing such a colony remain unclear.
The conditions on Venus pose significant challenges. With a dense, poisonous atmosphere predominantly consisting of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds that trap heat, the planet is the hottest in the solar system. Surface temperatures can reach a scorching 900 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a hostile environment for human habitation.
Söhnlein remains optimistic, suggesting that a space station designed to withstand the sulfuric acid in the Venusian clouds could potentially support hundreds to thousands of people in the future.
The co-founder’s ultimate ambition is to push humanity beyond its natural boundaries on Earth. He has formed ‘Humans2Venus,’ a venture studio that aims to generate creative business concepts and startup ideas to overcome commercial barriers to sending humans to Venus.
While OceanGate faces scrutiny due to the recent submersible incident, it continues to strive for innovation and technological advancements. Söhnlein’s comparison to SpaceX highlights the company’s determination to push the boundaries of human exploration.
The investigation into the ‘Titan’ incident is ongoing, focusing on the cause of the submersible’s collapse and the circumstances leading to the tragic deaths of the five passengers.
In conclusion, OceanGate Expeditions co-founder Guillermo Söhnlein aims to send humans to Venus by 2050 despite facing investigation over the deadly incident involving the ‘Titan’ submersible. The company’s vision aligns with Söhnlein’s lifelong dream of pushing humanity beyond Earth’s boundaries. As OceanGate continues to develop innovative technologies, the dream of a floating colony on Venus remains a challenging yet intriguing possibility.