In 2012, explorer and filmmaker James Cameron did what no one had ever done before. 

He piloted a one-man submersible to Challenger Deep at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the lowest spot on earth, 6.8 miles (10.9 km) below sea level.

Cameron's three main goals for the expedition?

• To obtain scientific samples to answer questions in geology and biology
• To film whatever might live down there and share those wonders with the world
• And—to survive the trip

This was no easy feat. At the bottom there's no light, the temperature is barely above freezing, and the water pressure on the vessel is 8 tons per square inch. 

In our latest video, a key member of Cameron's team brings you a behind-the-scenes look at this historical adventure.

Opto 22 Engineer Ben Orchard talks about the team, the sub, and the off-the-shelf SNAP PAC System that monitored and controlled more than 180 systems on the sub, including life support.

Watch the Deepsea Challenger video.