The first American woman to walk in space has made another amazing record after reaching the deepest known point of the ocean. According to Business Insider's latest report, the former astronaut Kathy Sullivan made history once again on Sunday, June 7.
Also read: Earth 2.0?: Scientists Found Exoplanet That's 'Habitable' Like Earth So You Can Transfer Someday
Kathy Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space, is now aiming to be the first woman to visit the deepest spot in the oceans. Check out her blog from the expedition to Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the world's ocean: https://t.co/ZdQnZRJ1ig pic.twitter.com/nVttt1KW8C — MBARI (@MBARI_News) June 7, 2020
Kathy Sullivan finally reached the deepest point in the ocean called "Challenger Deep" nearly 25 years after she became the first U.S. woman to walk in space. The report stated that she's the only person who has ever achieved both feats. Challenger Deep lies nearly 7 miles below the Pacific Ocean's surface within the Mariana Trench about 200 miles southwest of Guam.
Also read: Researchers Use Underwater Microphones to Finally Record What Narwhals Sound Like
EYOS Expeditions, the company coordinating the mission, confirmed that Kathy Sullivan is the eighth person in history to explore Challenger Deep. Sullivan co-piloted a submersible called the "Limiting Factor" together with the millionaire adventurer and investor Victor Vescovo.
"Big Congratulations to her!" said Vescovo, congratulating Kathy Sullivan in his Twitter post.
Just back up from Challenger Deep! My co-pilot was Dr. Kathy Sullivan - now the first woman to the bottom of the ocean and a former astronaut as well as NOAA Administrator! Big congratulations to her! This was my 3rd time to the bottom. Well done by the crew, Triton, and EYOS. — Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo) June 7, 2020
Kathy Sullivan, the first American woman to walk space made a new feat after reaching the deepest point of the oceans
According to Business Insider, the first thing Sullivan and Vescovo did when they got back to the surface was to call the astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS).
What a way to kick off #WorldOceansDay Dr. Kathy Sullivan becomes 1st woman to Challenger Deep & then connects to the @Space_Station Private companies leading the way in next generation of exploration @SpaceX @tritonsubs @CaladanOceanic https://t.co/U4NMc8iLa1 Photo:E. Alvarez pic.twitter.com/7nhqtUBKoY — EYOS Expeditions (@EYOSExpeditions) June 8, 2020
"As a hybrid oceanographer and astronaut, this was a once in a lifetime day - seeing the moonscape of the Challenger Deep and then comparing notes with my colleagues on the ISS about our remarkable, reusable, inner-space outer-spacecraft," said Sullivan in the report.
The two explorers dove into Challenger deep aboard the Limiting Factor, a two-person submersible built by Caladan Oceanic and Triton Submarines, spending about 10 hours underwater. Sullivan and Vescovo took 4 hours to reach the crushing depth of 35,810 feet, spending 11 1/2 hours on the ocean floor. It took them another 4 hours to get back to the surface.
"This is the most exclusive destination on Earth," said EYOS founding partner, Rob McCallum. The report said that the dive of Vescovo together with Sullivan is his third trip to Challenger Deep.
