DEEPSEA CHALLENGER

On March 26, 2012, James Cameron piloted the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER nearly 11 kilometers (over 6 miles) beneath the surface to Challenger Deep, the deepest spot in the global ocean. The vehicle included a host of technological advances that made the dive possible. One year after the record-setting trip, Cameron transferred the vehicle to WHOI as part of a partnership aimed at advancing ocean science and exploration. (Photo by Mark Thiessen/National Geographic)

Filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence James Cameron emerges from the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible after his successful solo dive to Challenger Deep, the deepest part of the ocean. The dive was part of DEEPSEA CHALLENGE, a joint scientific expedition by Cameron, the National Geographic Society and Rolex to conduct deep-ocean research. (Photo by Mark Thiessen/National Geographic)

James Cameron met with senior scientists and engineers during a visit to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to finalize transfer of the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER to the Institution and to meet some of the people who will begin applying technical advances he made into new generations of underwater vehicles. (Photo by Stephanie Murphy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Explorer and filmmaker James Cameron with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) President and Director Susan Avery. Cameron and WHOI have formed a partnership to stimulate advances in ocean science and technology and build on the breakthroughs of the 2012 Cameron-led DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition exploring deep-ocean trenches. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, WOods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Filmaker and explorer James Cameron (left) made a generous gift to WHOI in March 2013: the 24-foot vehicle that one year previously he used to reach the deepest place on Earth. In June WHOI President and Director Susan Avery (center) met with Cameron and his wife, Suzy Amis Cameron, as the vehicle departed from the California Science Center in Los Angeles on its way to Woods Hole. "Moving the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER cross-country to its new home at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution provides an opportunity to make the sub available to students and the general public, so they can see it, touch it, and ask questions," said Cameron. (Photo by Dave Gallo, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Cameron donated his custom-designed and -built vehicle and related technology to WHOI to ensure that his team's technical breakthroughs would find their way into new generations of underwater vehicles. On June 14, 2013, the sub arrived in Woods Hole after a two-week trip across the country sponsored by Rolex that included several stops for students and the public to see the sub and culminated with testimony before a Senate sub-committee by Cameron and WHOI President and Director Susan Avery (pictured) about the importance of ocean exploration to society. (Photo by Matthew Barton, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

On June 11, 2013, DEEPSEA CHALLENGER arrived in Washington, D.C., as part of a cross-country tour on its way to Woods Hole. While in the nation's capitol, Cameron and WHOI President and Director Susan Avery testified before a Senate sub-committee about the importance of ocean exploration and observation and also spoke with groups of students and adults about the sub and the need to learn more about the ocean, Earth's largest definining feature. (Photo by Stephanie Murphy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

On June 14, 2013, DEEPSEA CHALLENGER crossed the bridge on Water Street in Woods Hole and arrived at its new home. Engineers and technicians at WHOI will spend months studying and applying technological advances in the sub's design to new and existing underwater vehicles. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

The he DEEPSEA CHALLENGER's simulator sphere contains a complete mock-up of the actual personnel sphere on the sub—and not an inch more space. Both spheres hold just 12 cubic feet of working space, which required Cameron to spend months preparing himself to spend hours in the cramped confines during dives. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

James Cameron addressed a crowd gathered for the arrival of DEEPSEA CHALLENGER at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on June 14, 2013. In addition to donating the sub and its associated technology, Cameron agreed to serve as an advisor to the Institution's newly formed Center for Marine Robotics. (Photo by Danielle Fino, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution president and director Susan Avery receives the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible and a "Remove Before Flight" pin from filmmaker James Cameron. The pin holds descent weights on the sub and must be removed before a dive for the weights to be released, allowing the sub to surface. (Photo by Ken Kostel, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)