Curaçao is Cousteau’s favorite ISS station

Willemstad – Curaçao’s well-preserved waters are not only a source of scientific research, but also an ideal place for aquatic swimming training. Lisa Marocchino, CEO of Proteus Ocean Group, reported this in a presentation following a memorandum of understanding between the government of Curaçao and Proteus.

The Modular Underwater Observatory and Proteus Laboratory and associated data center have received the green light in America. This follows the signing of an agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in which the two parties agreed to publish 2026 and conduct research together.

The laboratory shall cover 185 square meters and contain a data center. But no further details about the data center were announced on the site. The laboratory also includes a private hydro suite, an underwater studio, and wet and dry laboratories.

According to the company, its business is powered by a range of renewable energy technologies, including thermal energy conversion technology from wind, solar and ocean energy.

Fabien Cousteau, chief ocean explorer with the Proteus Ocean Group and grandson of Jacques Cousteau, says: “The discoveries we can make – in terms of climate refugees, super-reefs, life-saving medicines, microenvironmental data linked to climate events and many more – will be truly groundbreaking.

The laboratory will be located 20 meters under the ocean off the Caribbean island of Curaçao and will house up to 12 scientists and innovators.

At the end of April, Cousteau visited potential sites for underwater stations in Curaçao and completed nine dives in eight locations. Curaçao was chosen as the location because it is well out of the path of seasonal hurricanes and has the support of the island’s government.

Proteus can be considered the International Oceanic Space Station, and Curaçao will be a part of it.