Prelims: Current events of national and international importance
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Recently the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) announced that, Samudrayaan, mission which is slated for launch by the end of 2026.
Samudrayaan – It is the India's first manned ocean mission using self-propelled manned submersible Matsya-6000 to a depth of 6,000 meters.
The mission is part of India’s Deep Ocean Mission, a flagship initiative to explore and harness deep-sea resources.
Implementation - It is implemented by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
Key Objectives – To explore India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf for:
Polymetallic nodules
Gas hydrates
Cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts
Deep-sea biodiversity
To strengthen India’s presence in the blue economy and oceanic research.
To develop a manned submersible capable of diving to a depth of 6,000 meters.
Matsya-6000
It is the indigenously developed submersible that is a specialized underwater vehicle designed to explore and conduct research in the deepest parts of the ocean.
It is named after the fish incarnation of Lord Vishnu—Matsya.
It is designed to carry 3 humans to a depth of 6,000 meters (6 km).
It is made of Titanium alloy to withstand the extreme pressures (up to 720 bar) encountered at 6,000 m depth.
Developed by - ISRO
Operational endurance:
12 hours of continuous mission capability
96 hours emergency survival capacity
Buoyancy and Ballast systems for submergence and resurfacing.
Key features:
Manoeuvring propellers for navigation.
Power and control systems with onboard battery storage.
Subsea intervention manipulators for sample collection.
Communication systems by Ethernet and acoustic communication.
Navigation and positioning devices.
Safety systems for emergency support.
Strategic Importance– Itenhances India’s technological self-reliance in marine exploration.
It supports India's commitment to sustainable ocean resource use.
