Richard Branson and Virgin Oceanic will explore the sea floor like never before

Sir Richard Branson's Virgin companies have a hand in every industry from airplanes to wine, and with the introduction of Virgin Oceanic the brand will stretch its legs to the very bottom of the world's seas. Utilizing a specially-designed submarine, a single crew member will pilot each mission in an attempt to explore the still-mysterious depths of our planet's oceans. 

The sub, which measures 17 feet and brakes the scales at 8,000 pounds, is fully electric and can sustain itself for a full 24 hours. In order to get this record-breaking submersible to its dive locations, Virgin has constructed a one-of-a-kind catamaran called the Cheyenne. The Cheyenne boasts a length of 125' and a sky-scraping 147' height which rivals even the Statue of Liberty's 151' stance. 

There are currently 5 dives planned, each one destined for the deepest part of a different ocean. And the Virgin Oceanic team is wasting no time going for the biggest gamble of all: a trip to the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on the planet. This will mark the first time a manned craft will grace that depth since explorer Jacques Piccard first ventured there in the bathyscaphe Trieste in 1960.  Virgin's maiden voyage will take place later this year, with subsequent expeditions spread out over the next 24 months.

[Via Boing Boing]

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