Diving into the Future

An "aquanaut" scoops rocks and sand from the bottom of the ocean in preparation for NEEMO 15, a NASA mission that begins October 17. Three astronauts will spend nine days under water to develop techniques for trips to an asteroid and Mars, including ways to gather samples and anchor themselves in the low-gravity environment of an asteroid. Their expedition will take them to an underwater habitat in the Florida Keys known as Aquarius (in the background in this photo). Other astronauts will work with them during daily dives, while others support the mission from shore or support ships. [NASA]