University of Essex in the UK is in “exploratory discussions” to build the world’s deepest swimming pool for spaceflight and human endurance research.

The proposed 164ft deep pool at the university would be far deeper than NASA’s own 40ft deep training pool in Houston, Texas.

If it goes ahead, the project is expected to cost £40 million ($60 million).

The pool would simulate the microgravity of outer space and deep sea environments.

The university’s development partner Blue Abyss said the pool could be used, for human spaceflight research programs, environmental monitoring ,training in advanced commercial diving techniques, marine and human physiology research and aerospace development.

The world’s current deepest pool is the Y-40 diving pool in Montegrotto Terme, Italy, which is 137ft deep.

John Vickers, managing director of Blue Abyss, said: “All the ingredients are here; the location near to Stansted Airport and the North Sea offshore industry via Harwich; a superb campus site and an excellent research base within the University’s academic departments.”

University of Essex Registrar Bryn Morris said the pool idea fitted in “very well” with the university’s “strengths”.