SAMUDRAYAAN MISSION: India’s First Crewed Deep-Sea Mission Set for Testing

By R Anil Kumar

• India is set to make history with its first manned deep-sea exploration mission, Samudrayaan, which aims to send three humans to explore the ocean floor at a depth of 6,000

Bengaluru, December 24. India’s First Crewed Deep-Sea Mission Set for Testing: The mission, named Samudrayaan, is poised to undergo critical testing as it aims to send a crew of three to depths of 6,000 meters in the Indian Ocean.

This initiative is being spearheaded by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai, with preparations spanning over three years. The submersible, known as Matsya-6000, is designed to withstand extreme underwater pressures and will be tested in a harbour off Chennai soon.

Significance and Objectives: The Samudrayaan mission is not only a landmark achievement for India but also positions the country alongside nations like the USA, Russia, Japan, France, and China, which have developed similar underwater exploration capabilities. The mission aims to explore deep-sea resources, assess biodiversity, and contribute to India’s Blue Economy initiatives.

Technical Details: Matsya-6000 features a titanium alloy personnel sphere capable of accommodating three scientists for up to 12 hours of exploration.

It will be tested initially without a crew and then with crew members as part of a phased approach to ensure safety and functionality. The vehicle is equipped with advanced propulsion systems and communication technologies tailored for deep-sea operations.

Wet Test

Every corner of NIOT’s 50 acre-campus in Chennai is abuzz with discussions on the upcoming harbour test. From the institute director’s office to the integration facility where three different teams are working together to assemble the Matsya-6000 vehicle. Louder still are the mechanical whirrs and rhythmic hums that greet people passing by the integration facility at any time of the day.

Future Aspirations: If successful, Samudrayaan will mark a significant advancement in India’s scientific endeavours, enabling further research into oceanic ecosystems and mineral resources.

The Project Director Dr. S Ramesh, Scientist-in-Charge of India’s deep-sea mission, emphasized that this mission represents a new generation of manned submersibles, enhancing India’s capabilities in ocean exploration akin to how ISRO has advanced space exploration.

Samudrayaan Mission is aimed to develop a self-propelled manned submersible to carry 3 human beings to a water depth of 6000 meters in the ocean with a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration. It has an endurance of 12 hours of operational period and 96 hours in case of emergency.

The manned submersible will allow scientific personnel to observe and understand unexplored deep-sea areas by direct interventions. Further, it will enhance the capability for deep-sea man rated vehicle development.

The projected timeline is five years for the period 2020-2021 to 2025-2026.

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, an autonomous institute under MoES, has developed 6000m depth rated Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and various other underwater instruments such as Autonomous Coring System (ACS), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Deep-Sea Mining System (DSM) for the exploration of deep sea.

The Samudrayaan mission is designed to last 12 hours from the moment the Matsya-6000 submersible dives into the ocean until its recovery upon mission completion.

This 12-hour window, referred to as the vehicle’s endurance, will allow the crew to conduct their exploration and research activities on the ocean floor.

SAMUDRAYAAN IN EMERGENCY MODE

In the event of an emergency, the Matsya-6000 is equipped to support the crew for an additional 96 hours, extending the total potential endurance of the vehicle to 108 hours. This extended capability ensures the safety of the crew in unforeseen circumstances.

The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is spearheading the design of the Samudrayaan mission, equipping the Matsya-6000 with all necessary systems for the entire 108-hour mission duration.

These include life support systems, batteries, communications equipment, food supplies, waste management, oxygen provision, and CO₂ scrubbers.

Interestingly, the food for the mission is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), leveraging their expertise in creating specialised nutrition for Gaganyaan astronauts.

The Matsya-6000 will be deployed into the sea from India’s research vessel Sagar Nidhi, which will serve as the surface support for the deep-sea mission.

With this mission, India is poised to join an elite group of nations capable of deep-sea exploration.

The Matsya-6000’s design, featuring a 2.1-meter diameter spherical hull, puts it in the same league as other renowned deep-sea vehicles such as Russia’s Mir series, France’s Nautile, Japan’s Shinkai, and China’s Jiaolong.

As India prepares to embark on this groundbreaking 12-hour journey into the depths of the ocean, the Samudrayaan mission is a significant leap forward in the country’s scientific capabilities and its commitment to exploring the vast, mysterious realm of the deep sea.