Blue Abyss and NASA Glenn Research Center partner to advance space training and research in Ohio
Blue Abyss, a United Kingdom-based global leader in extreme environment research and training, has entered into a Space Act Agreement with NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Brook Park, Ohio. The partnership is designed to advance commercial space training and research, bolstering U.S. leadership in space exploration and innovation.
A Milestone for Space Innovation
The partnership focuses on developing next-generation infrastructure and capabilities for human spaceflight, astronaut training, and the simulation of extreme environments. Blue Abyss and NASA will work together on innovative solutions to address challenges in environments ranging from low Earth orbit to lunar and Martian surfaces.
"This Space Act Agreement with NASA’s Glenn Research Center represents a pivotal milestone for Blue Abyss," said John Vickers, CEO of Blue Abyss. "As we develop next-generation infrastructure, including our proposed new facility in Ohio, this collaboration will enhance space training and extreme environment simulation, contributing to U.S. leadership in the global space industry."
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Blue Abyss has completed the purchase of a 12-acre site adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, close to NASA’s Glenn Research Center, the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility, and the Ohio Aerospace Institute. Details include:
Planned $250 million facility will house the world’s largest and deepest R&D pool, measuring 50 meters long, 40 meters wide, with a 16-meter-wide shaft plunging to a depth of 50 meters.
The pool will hold approximately 42,000 cubic meters of water, equivalent to 17 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Additional facilities will include a human centrifuge for high-G training, hypobaric and hyperbaric chambers for simulating high-altitude and deep-sea conditions, and capabilities for parabolic flight simulations. These resources will support a wide range of activities, from astronaut training to subsea technology development.
Community Support
Local officials have expressed strong support for the project. Mayor Edward A. Orcutt of Brook Park stated, "Blue Abyss investing in Brook Park for this ground-breaking facility is a clear sign of our unlimited potential and bright future and continues the great legacy of innovation by NASA Glenn and the Ohio Aerospace Institute, both located in Brook Park."
The Bottom Line
The partnership between Blue Abyss and NASA’s Glenn Research Center represents a significant advancement in space research and training infrastructure. By establishing a state-of-the-art facility in Ohio, Blue Abyss is set to contribute to the region's economic growth and reinforce its position as a hub for aerospace innovation.