News
Blue Abyss announces the world’s first commercial space and deep sea centre to be developed at RAF Henlow

Blue Abyss, the world’s first commercial deep sea to space research, training and test centre, is at the centre of a multi-million-pound regeneration vision to develop a science, innovation and technology park on part of a soon-to-close RAF base site in Bedfordshire, UK.
The Blue Abyss team is working with Central Bedfordshire Council to create the £120m facility, designed by London’s Gherkin architect Robin Partington, on part of the RAF Henlow site, which is due to close by 2020.
Blue Abyss will house the world’s biggest 50m deep pool, a hotel, an astronaut training centre including parabolic flight capability, hypobaric and hyperbaric chambers and a human performance centre to enable divers, astronauts and top athletes to perform at the peak of their potential. Plans also include a conference theatre and training rooms, and a 120-bed hotel.
Blue Abyss will fulfill a crucial role in the growth of the UK’s space industry, highlighted by the Government in the Queen’s Speech last week.
It hopes to start building at the end of the year to start operating in 2019, bringing about 160 new jobs. The Blue Abyss team plans to reuse some facilities at RAF Henlow, including a centrifuge base already installed at the site for its long-arm human centrifuge for high-G astronaut training.
A launch event, sponsored by Northumbria University, was due to be held at Cranfield University today (Tuesday June 27), attended by representatives of the European Space Agency (ESA), Romanian cosmonaut Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu, Blue Abyss non-executive director, and representatives from central and local government.

Blue Abyss, designed by Robin Partington
Blue Abyss will provide an arena for pioneering research and development into extreme environments, which in turn will enable better human performance in deep sea and space environments by encouraging innovation. The research and development will help to reduce risk, test operational procedures, improve performance and aid exploration in these environments.
Blue Abyss chief executive John Vickers said its aim was to transform human life science research and performance training in extreme environments, focusing on advanced commercial diving skills, underwater and space robotics, human spaceflight preparation, professional athlete fitness and healthcare from a better understanding of human physiology under extreme conditions.

John Vickers, Blue Abyss, chief executive
Blue Abyss’ education outreach programme and collaboration with universities will help shape a new generation of scientists and engineers, working with primary schools through to post-graduate and post-doctorate researchers.
“RAF Henlow provides the ideal site for Blue Abyss. The market is waiting for this facility – space tourism, the UK space programme and the demand for experiential packages.
“Having a centrifuge base already there is an important feature because it’s the most expensive and difficult element of the equipment to install.
“Being part of something bigger, working closely with a proactive council in its enabling and planning capacity and bringing jobs to the area, means we can make the incredibly exciting facilities for the industries we will serve a reality, for UK plc and increase the profile of space travel, space adventure and tourism, deep-sea and offshore energy innovation.”
The centre’s Kuehnegger Human Performance Centre will house specialist diver, astronaut and athlete research and development facilities. The centre will include a microgravity simulation suite with a traversable, full-body suspension system plus additional hypobaric chambers to facilitate hypoxia and altitude training, rehabilitation and physiological studies.
Cllr James Jamieson, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said:
“The council welcomes the proposals to bring Blue Abyss to the Henlow site as a central part of a comprehensive mixed use regeneration vision. Central Bedfordshire is pleased to be working in partnership with Blue Abyss to bring these exciting, innovative proposals to fruition within central Bedfordshire.”
Find out more at www.blueabyss.uk
News
Go Diving Show 2025 Main Stage Speaker: Dr. Timmy Gambin

Prof Timmy Gambin is an Associate Professor in Maritime Archaeology at the Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta, and he has been at the forefront of expeditions to undiscovered wrecks and ancient sites for many years – he will be taking you on a trip behind the scenes of some of the latest research on the Main Stage at the GO Diving Show in March.
Prof Gambin graduated in History from this University and went on to attain his Masters in Maritime Archaeology and History from the University of Bristol, where he also got his doctorate in Maritime Archaeology. He has been involved in numerous collaborative research projects, and has also co-directed numerous offshore underwater surveys in various parts of the Mediterranean.
The Virtual Museum
Timmy is the initiator and director of the The Virtual Museum – Underwater Malta. Underwater cultural heritage sites are out of sight and more often than not out of mind. The reason for this situation is simple – the physical barrier created by the sea itself. To date, only divers or people in submarines are able to visit these historic time capsules. There still exist limitations brought about by depth, remoteness and legislation.
In fact, one of the central principles of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage is that ‘State Parties shall promote public awareness regarding the value and importance of underwater cultural heritage’, a principle that is fully endorsed by The Virtual Museum – Underwater Malta. This online platform brings underwater cultural heritage to the surface and into the homes of the general public.
Using 3D, virtual reality and other media, the aim of this website is to provide access to and share Malta’s unique underwater cultural heritage with all members of the public.
The Phoenician Shipwreck Project
In 2007, during an offshore remote sensing survey aimed at mapping Malta’s Underwater Cultural Heritage, a small anomaly was noted in the sonar data.
Since then, the University of Malta, in collaboration with a number of international partners, have been studying what turned out to be one of the most intriguing recent underwater archaeological discoveries.
Situated at a depth of 110m off Xlendi Bay in Gozo, the Phoenician shipwreck consists of an intact and well-preserved mixed cargo datable to the 7th century BC. The mixed contents of stone and ceramic objects are shedding light on the economic history and trade networks of the Central Mediterranean during the Archaic period.
In addition to the archaeological benefits – including the study of hitherto unknown ceramic typologies as well as a wide variety of scientific tests in the post-excavation phases – this site presents other challenges and opportunities regards methodologies and access, as well as the communication of such a site.
You can find out more on the Phoenician Shipwreck Project here, and the The Virtual Museum here.
Go Diving Show 2025 takes place at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, on the 1st -2nd March.
Marine Life & Conservation
Go Diving Show 2025 UK Stage Speaker: Roisin Maddison

Underwater photogapher and avid UK diver Roisin Maddison will be taking to the UK Stage at the GO Diving Show in March to discuss why she loves diving off our coastline.
Roisin will be talking about her passion for our native species, UK diving and why it isn’t just deep, dark and cold.
Go Diving Show 2025 takes place at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, on the 1st -2nd March.
-
Gear Reviews1 month ago
Gear Review: SurfEars 4
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months ago
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
-
Blogs3 months ago
Experience Malta and Gozo in 2025: A Paradise for Divers and Culture Lovers
-
Blogs3 months ago
Jeff Goodman Launches Underwater Moviemaker Course with NovoScuba
-
Blogs3 months ago
The Benefits of Underwater Photography Workshops
-
News3 months ago
Dive into Adventure: Limited Space Available for January Socorro Liveaboard Trip with Oyster Diving
-
News3 months ago
Scubaverse Acquired by Multiversal Media: A New Era of Expansion into Outdoor Travel and Wildlife Markets
-
News1 month ago
2-for-1 tickets now available for GO Diving Show