‘Samudrayaan’: India’s first manned deep ocean research mission readying its submersible ‘MATSYA 6000’, minister Kiren Rijiju shares glimpses

India is gearing up for its first manned deep ocean research mission, dubbed as ‘Samudrayaan’, which aims to explore the vast and mysterious realm of the deep sea. The mission will involve sending three scientists in a submersible vehicle called ‘MATSYA 6000’ to a depth of 6,000 metres (20,000 feet) into the ocean for studying the marine resources and biodiversity.

The submersible vehicle is being developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). The project is part of the Rs 6,000-crore Deep Ocean Mission, which was approved by the Cabinet in June 2021. The mission will also support the Blue Economy Initiatives of the Indian government, which aim to harness the potential of the ocean for sustainable development.

On Monday, Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju shared some pictures of the ‘MATSYA 6000’ submersible on his Twitter account, saying that it is under construction at NIOT. He also said that India’s first manned Deep Ocean Mission ‘Samudrayaan’ plans to send three humans in 6-km ocean depth in a submersible, to study the deep sea resources and biodiversity assessment.

Next is “Samudrayaan”

This is ‘MATSYA 6000’ submersible under construction at National Institute of Ocean Technology at Chennai.

India’s first manned Deep Ocean Mission ‘Samudrayaan’ plans to send 3 humans in 6-km ocean depth in a submersible, to study the deep sea resources and… pic.twitter.com/aHuR56esi7

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 11, 2023

According to NIOT director G A Ramadass, the ‘MATSYA 6000’ submersible is a 2.1-metre diameter sphere made of 80mm-thick titanium alloy, which can withstand a pressure of 600 bar (8,700 psi) at the depth of 6,000 metres. The submersible will have a life support system for three persons, who will be able to communicate with the surface vessel using acoustic waves. The submersible will also have various sensors and cameras to collect data and samples from the deep sea.

The ‘MATSYA 6000’ submersible is expected to undergo trials in the Bay of Bengal in early 2024, before being deployed for scientific missions. The NIOT team is taking extra precautions in designing the submersible after the tragic incident of the Titan submersible, which imploded while taking tourists to the Titanic wreckage site in April 2023, killing all five onboard.

The ‘Samudrayaan’ mission will enable India to join the elite club of nations such as the US, Russia, France, Japan and China, which have developed technology and vehicles to carry out subsea activities. The mission will also help India to explore the deep ocean resources such as polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich crusts and hydrothermal vents, which are rich in metals like nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper. These resources are considered as potential alternatives for land-based minerals and can be used for various industries and applications.

The mission will also contribute to the scientific understanding of the deep sea ecosystem, which is largely unexplored and holds a great diversity of life forms. The mission will help to assess the impact of human activities on the deep sea environment and devise strategies for its conservation and management.

The ‘Samudrayaan’ mission is a testament to India’s scientific prowess and ambition to explore new frontiers of knowledge and innovation. It is also a reflection of India’s commitment to sustainable development and responsible use of ocean resources for the benefit of humanity.

Source:

(1) India Now Aims To Explore Ocean Depths With Its ‘Samudrayaan Mission’ After Soaring Heights In Space. https://www.outlookindia.com/national/india-now-aims-to-explore-ocean-depths-with-its-samudrayaan-mission-after-soaring-heights-in-space-news-317450.

(2) Samudrayaan mission explained: All about India's first underwater mission Matsya 6000. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/samudrayaan-mission-explained-all-about-india-s-first-underwater-mission-matsya-6000/ar-AA1gBICA.

(3) Samudrayaan: India's First Manned Deep-sea Probe To Travel 6 Km Under Water. https://www.msn.com/en-in/video/other/samudrayaan-india-s-first-manned-deep-sea-probe-to-travel-6-km-under-water/ar-AA1gAILC.

(4) Samudrayaan mission explained: All about India's first underwater .... https://www.dnaindia.com/explainer/report-samudrayaan-mission-explained-all-about-india-s-first-underwater-mission-matsya-6000-chandrayaan-rijiju-3060257.

(5) Samudrayaan Mission - दृष्टि आईएएस. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samudrayaan-mission.

(6) Explainer: What is Samudrayaan? Know all about India's first manned .... https://www.dnaindia.com/explainer/report-explainer-what-is-samudrayaan-know-all-about-india-s-first-manned-deep-ocean-exploration-mission-3054555.