History

The completion of the Inner Space Center facility is the culmination of a 28-year old dream of Dr. Robert Ballard’s that began when he was at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and first envisioned the use of “telepresence” technology that would not only make it possible for scientists all around the world to participate in “live” undersea exploration but also for him to use the excitement of such exploration to motivate the next generation of explorers to prepare themselves for the continuation of this adventure.

First published in National Geographic Magazine in December of 1981, it took Dr. Ballard the subsequent 28 years to implement this dream.  A critical component of this vision was the need for a shore-based telecommunications that would receive the images being displayed aboard the ship and then transmit those images to scientists around the world.  This shore-based center or Inner Space Center would also house a “live” television production center that would make it possible to create a broad range of educational out reach programs for the next generation of explorers.

Achieving this dream involved numerous organizations, many of which Dr. Ballard created, working together.  They include:

Institute for Exploration
Developer of the undersea vehicles used to explore and partner in educational outreach

Center for Ocean Exploration and Archaeological Oceanography at URI/GSO
Home of the Inner Space Center and many of the scientists participating in the live exploration

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Owner of the OKEANOS EXPLORER, one of two ships of exploration connected to the Inner Space Center

Ocean Exploration Trust
Owner of the E/V NAUTILUS which is the second ship of exploration connected to the Inner Space Center

National Geographic Society
Educational outreach partner focusing on general public education

JASON Project
A division of the National Geographic Society and outreach partner focusing on K-12 formal education

Immersion Presents
A division of the Sea Research Foundation and outreach partner focusing on informal education