When NASA's GRACE satellites detected an unusual gravity spike in the deep ocean southeast of India, they made the data publicly available—a move that caught the attention of Chinese scientists. Seizing the opportunity, a team of oceanographers used the advanced research vessel Shiyan 6 to investigate further in 2022. Now, they’re crediting NASA’s open-data approach for helping advance their deep-sea mining research.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a story about space tech or ocean exploration—it’s a rare example of scientific cooperation between global rivals. Open data sharing, even in competitive fields, can lead to breakthroughs that benefit everyone. Plus, it hints at how deep-sea mining (a controversial but potentially game-changing industry) might rely on unexpected partnerships to move forward.