Jacques Cousteau's Grandson Will Spend 31 Days Under the Sea in Record-Breaking Mission

The grandson of the great 20th-century oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau will attempt to break his grandfather's underwater record by spending 31 days under the sea.

As a part of "Mission 31," Fabien Cousteau is leading a team of "aquanauts" as they attempt to remain submerged for a month at the Aquarius underwater laboratory located off the coast of the Key Largo, Fla., ABC News reported.

Only 46 feet long and 10 feet wide, Aquarius - the only underwater marine laboratory in existence, operated by Florida International University - will provide close living quarters for Cousteau and the other five explorers. And don't worry, they will have an oxygen feed manned by a support team nearby.

During their month submerged in the ocean, the team will examine how warming seas affect vulnerable coral reefs and the ocean's acidity. Also, the researchers will serve as subjects of their own experiment as they examine how living without the Sun and in a high-pressure space affects them mentally and physically.

"Is it physiologically possible to live longer than 31 days underwater? Absolutely, it's possible, technologically and physiologically," Fabien, 45, told The Atlantic.

"Now, psychologically, that's really up to the individual because of several factors - being separated from friends and family, the Sun, fresh air, all those things."

Compared to his grandfather's mission back in 1963, near the Port of Sudan in Africa, Fabien will have some modern-day luxuries at his disposal.

The Aquarius undersea laboratory is equipped with wireless Internet and air-conditioning, according to ABC News.

Fabien and his fellow scientists will communicate with reporters and students around the world every day via email and Skype from a depth of 60 meters (197 feet).

While most would get a sense of claustrophobia, it's no surprise that Fabien, who comes from a family of aquaphiles, feels nothing but excitement.

"For me, the idea of going down to Aquarius for a month actually puts my mind at ease and gives me a sense of bliss," he told The Atlantic.

While health concerns are a priority - spending lengths of time underwater can cause one to lose their sense of taste, feel euphoric or almost "drunk" - Fabien is most concerned with the health of our oceans.

"It is thanks to the health of our oceans in general that we exist," he said. "Whatever we do to the oceans we do to ourselves."