India’s First Manned Submersible Matsya 6000 Set to Launch by 2026: Jitendra Singh
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Synopsis
India's first manned submersible, Matsya 6000, is set to launch by 2026, allowing three individuals to explore depths of 6000 meters. Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed its role in the Deep Ocean Mission for biodiversity and mineral resource exploration.
Key Takeaways
- Matsya 6000 will enable three people to explore depths of 6000 m.
- Expected to be operational by 2026.
- Part of India's Deep Ocean Mission.
- Equipped with advanced technology for deep-sea exploration.
- Support systems for human safety during operations.
New Delhi, Feb 13 (NationPress) India’s pioneering manned submersible Matsya 6000 is set to transport three individuals to a depth of 6000 metres beneath the ocean surface by 2026, as announced by Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, on Thursday.
In a formal response in the Rajya Sabha today, Singh highlighted that Matsya 6000, an integral part of the Deep Ocean Mission, aims to investigate ocean biodiversity, conduct surveys, and assess mineral resources utilizing a range of scientific sensors.
“The manned submersible Matsya 6000 is projected to be completed by 2026,” Singh stated, adding that the technologies formulated under the Deep Ocean Mission will enhance the country's capacity for developing man-rated deep-sea vehicles.
This initiative will also facilitate sustainable deep-sea exploration and the utilization of both living and non-living deep-sea resources. Furthermore, the mission promises immediate benefits in underwater engineering advancements, asset inspections, and the enhancement of ocean literacy.
Matsya 6000 will feature a 2.1-metre internal diameter Titanium alloy personnel sphere designed to safely transport humans to a depth of 6000 m. This personnel sphere is being developed in partnership with ISRO.
The manned submersible will be “furnished with subsystems for buoyancy management facilitating descent/ascent, power and control systems, maneuvering propellers, subsea intervention manipulators, navigation and positioning devices, data and voice communication systems, onboard energy storage batteries, as well as emergency support systems,” Singh remarked.
The submersible is engineered to allow continuous operations at 6000 m depth for up to 12 hours, with an emergency endurance capability of up to 96 hours to carry out deep-water observations and explorations.
The Human Support and Safety System, crucial for the well-being of three crew members, has been developed for acclimatization and use during both routine and emergency situations,” the Minister reported.
