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Analog astronauts train for space 22 feet underwater
The crew lived five days as aquanauts in a Key Largo habitat, and the commander says underwater spacewalk practice is riskier than on land; the surface is close.
On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN After HoursPublished
At a glance
- First reported by Space.com: “Analog astronauts: How living underwater can prepare humans for space missions”, with reporting from Jules' Undersea Lab (Facebook page).
- Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 4:11 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- Space.comAnalog astronauts: How living underwater can prepare humans for space missions
- Jules' Undersea Lab (Facebook page)Jules' Undersea Lab facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA crew just spent five days living in an underwater habitat near Key Largo, Florida, to practice for space missions.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFive days under the sea for science. How deep is it?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentTwenty-two feet. Six point seven metres.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentYou have to scuba dive just to get in and out, and the commander says a simulated spacewalk down there is significantly riskier than on land.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo to get ready for space, you start by making the front door a medical decision?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThat's the point, apparently. The commander has led almost forty simulated missions, nearly all on land, where the door is just a door.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentVerdict: useful science, with a very short commute to the surface.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSpace is the only place where you can't see Florida and swim to it.
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 · the Tech archive · all months
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