Matsya 6000: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is currently constructing India’s inaugural manned submersible, dubbed the ‘Matsya 6000.’ This submersible is designed to accommodate a crew of three individuals and is intended for deep-sea resource exploration at a depth of 6,000 meters. The project is part of NIOT’s broader initiative, known as the Samudrayaan project.
NIOT director speaks on Matsya 6000 importance
Anand Ramadass, the Director of NIOT, has stated that the primary objective is to design, create, and showcase technologies that enable the sustainable exploitation of oceanic resources. He stated, “Matsya 6000 will take three human beings and it can do scientific exploration at a depth of 6km. Conquering inner space is as difficult as conquering other space.”
He pointed out that at the immense depth the submersible will reach, approximately 6,000 meters, the pressure will be roughly 600 times higher than the conditions at sea level, and the temperature will plummet to 2°C. He stated, “You can control the Mars Rover from the Earth’s surface but you can’t control what is below 20 metres in the water. Electromagnetic waves don’t travel. You don’t have the systems to communicate at that depth. We cannot control it and we need a human to take informed decisions there. It definitely is a big challenge.”
Crew’s safety is priority
Sathyanarayan, a scientist at NIOT, emphasised that the safety of the crew has been a top priority in the submersible’s design and development. Measures taken for crew safety include constructing a steel pressure hull, which underwent testing at a depth of 500 meters, as well as human testing at seven meters to evaluate the functionality of life support systems.
The submersible’s crew will consist of a pilot and two scientists, who will have visibility of the ocean through acrylic windows. Additionally, the spherical shape of the pressure hull, combined with the use of a lightweight Titanium alloy, contributes to ensuring the crew’s safety within the Matsya 6000.
Upon the completion of the Matsya 6000, India will join an exclusive group of nations, including the US, Russia, France, Japan, and China, as the sixth country in the world to deploy a manned submersible.
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