Awesome Submarines

xkcd’s What If? is back with another hypothetical question. This time, a follower asked: “How long could a nuclear submarine last in orbit?” Along the way, you’ll learn if a sub’s hull could withstand the conditions in space, and more importantly, what might happen to its occupants and nuclear reactor.

We’re pretty sure The Beatles envisioned a much larger ship when they proclaimed “We all live in a yellow submarine.” But as Living Big in a Tiny House shows us, you don’t even need to live beneath the waves to dwell in such a golden vessel. If you happen to be visiting New Zealand, you can even stay there.

Ever wanted to know what a torpedo sees when it’s launched from a submarine? Now’s your chance. While this particular projectile doesn’t have explosives on board, it’s still cool to see its perspective as it speeds through the water. If you freeze-frame at 1:11 you can catch a glimpse of the sub in the rear-view shot.

Maker Peter Sripol wanted to see if he could build a functional submarine using off-the-shelf parts and a $100 budget. He assembled its frame from PVC pipe and 3D-printed connectors, and its remote steering mechanism is completely analog. He even rigged it up to pick up undersea “treasure” with magnets.

Submarines are notorious for their incredibly close quarters, so you might not think it would be a good place to fly a drone. But with a talented pilot behind the controls, it is possible to negotiate the claustrophobic passageways, like in this video from the Royal Netherlands’ Navy’s 2020 Onderzeedienst Live event.

Aside from the Titanic, cruise ships don’t usually execute deep dives. Until now. Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has become the first cruise line to equip a ship with a submarine for underwater excursions, with its new 114-stateroom, all-veranda, ultra-luxury ship, the Scenic Eclipse.

Wendover Productions made this great overview of how submarines work. The video goes over crew shifts, food, communications technology, and the watercraft’s weaknesses. It’s amazing what man’s thirst for revenge can accomplish.

We just cracked our piggy bank open and see that we have $300K in there, so it’s time to treat ourselves to this handsome fellow. You and three pals can check out the scene above and below the water surface, and can drive it right off a trailer into the water. See you in the pool.

A remote-controlled underwater drone which allows you to capture full HD video (4K model also available) and 16 MP stills using its waterproof camera and LED lighting. It comes with a 30m (~98 ft.) tether, but can be upgraded to operate at depths up to 100m (~328 ft.).

While the majority of drones out there are designed to fly in the air, the 16″ x 8″ Trident is designed to go underwater instead. This agile, remote-controlled micro-sub sends data via a tether, and has a built-in HD camera and lights to explore and record sea life.

U-Boat Worx‘ latest personal submarine is a compact two-seater. Able to dive up to 100m (330ft), the HP Sport Sub 2 weighs just 2200kg (4850lb) and can fit on a 30m+ super yacht or be launched directly from a trailer.

Rinspeed’s amphibious sports car, the sQuba can dive up to 10m (33ft.) and move at up to 2 knots (2.3mph) underwater. It has three electric motors – one for land, two for water – two jet ski motors and two oxygen tanks for passengers.

High rollers, join the Mile Low Club with Lovers Deep, a luxurious submarine intended for couples. A chef will prepare an “aphrodisiac tasting menu” and a butler will ensure that you and your lover will be chillin’ like villains.

The 1977 Lotus Esprit submarine that James Bond drove in The Spy Who Loved Me will be auctioned off on 9/8/13. It actually works, if barely. It can’t turn into a car though. Lotus should buy it back for all the good it did them.

The Seabreacher Y uses the same 255hp engine as the X Sharkboat, but it is modeled on killer whales and has a panoramic canopy. Goes up to 50mph on the surface and 25mph underwater.

The crew of a German U-Boat struggle to survive deep below the sea, as they encounter unlikely and unusual obstacles in this amusing short film from students of New Zealand’s Media Design School.

Sir Richard Branson opens up his seemingly limitless checkbook to launch Virgin Oceanic, a project designed to visit the unexplored depths of our seas. He should invite James Cameron along.

The EGO is a small electric boat that floats on the water, piloted from a see-through cabin that rides just beneath the surface, allowing a clear view of underwater life without getting wet – or the bends.

The Neptune MM2 is a 2 seater sport micro submersible with a 750′ max dive depth; the dry sealed cabin with full life support is accessed through a heavy power enhanced lock down hatch.

Joining their C-Questers, the new C-Explorer personal submarines from U-Boat Worx hold 1-5 passengers, can dive to 3,280′ and will debut here in October at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show.

This 11.5ft-long pedal-powered submarine can go as fast as 5mph and as deep as 20ft. The current design’s problem is a vital one though – there’s no on-board oxygen supply.

Go on a romantic date to the bottom of the sea in this 2-person electric sub, capable of diving up to 6 hours at depths down to 1,000 feet, to explore exotic oceanic species. (Thanks for the tip, Ron!)

Rub yacht owners’ noses in your even greater wealth with the U-010 Undersea Yacht, which has a huge deck for sun worship but can also submerge itself by switching from diesel to electric propulsion.