India is on an unprecedented scientific journey, transcending the boundaries of both space and the depths of the ocean. Following the triumphant landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s South Pole, the nation has shifted its focus to the ‘Samudrayaan’ mission, aiming to explore ocean depths of up to 6 kilometers.
Kiren Rijiju, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, recently unveiled ‘MATSYA 6000,’ an advanced submersible designed for this groundbreaking endeavor. Developed at the National Institute of Ocean Technology in Chennai, MATSYA 6000 can accommodate a crew of three. The primary goal of this expedition is to conduct a comprehensive study of deep-sea resources and assess marine biodiversity.
While Chandrayaan-3’s lunar landing primarily centered on geographical exploration, ‘Samudrayaan’ extends its focus to encompass economic aspects. According to Minister Rijiju, the mission aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Blue Economy’ initiative, aiming to sustainably extract ocean resources to boost India’s economic growth, create jobs, and protect marine ecosystems.
“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 biodiversity assessment. The project will not disturb the ocean ecosystem,” Rijiju highlighted.
Recent weeks have witnessed India’s rapid progress in space and oceanic research. The successful Chandrayaan-3 landing helped the nation overcome the disappointment of Chandrayaan-2’s crash landing four years ago. Now, with ‘Samudrayaan,’ India is poised to make history once again, this time by delving into the Earth’s ocean depths.
Samudrayaan Mission 2023 Objectives:
– Mine Polymetallic Nodules from a 75,000 SqKM Area in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.
– Conduct research on Climate Change formations.
– Establish a Tidal Energy Plant for long-term operation.
– Deploy MATSYA 6000 (Submarine) with three Oceanauts for seabed research, capable of 12 hours of continuous operation.
MATSYA 6000 Features:
– Multiple payloads, carrying capacity for three Oceanauts.
– 12-hour continuous operations; emergency capacity of over 96 hours.
– Successful trial near Chennai, reaching depths of 600 meters in the Indian Ocean Region.
Samudrayaan Mission 2023 Details:
– India’s first crewed mission for deep-sea exploration with three Oceanauts.
– Aims to collect Polymetallic Nodules from the seabed, covering a 6,000 SqM area.
– Estimated that 10% of the Polymetallic Nodules can fulfill India’s energy needs for the next century.
Samudrayaan Mission 2023 Budget:
– Budget of Rs 8,000 Crores allocated over a 5-year period.
– Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
– MATSYA 6000 Submarine developed by the Indian Institute of Ocean Technology.
– Submarine testing and trials conducted near Chennai in the Indian Ocean Region.
Deep Ocean Mission 2023 Launch Date:
– Initiated in 2018 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
– MATSYA 6000 Submarine capable of reaching depths of 6 km.
– Budget of Rs 8,000 Crores for the Deep Sea Exploration Mission 2023.
India’s unwavering commitment to scientific exploration continues to push boundaries, as the nation seeks to expand its horizons both beyond the skies and beneath the ocean’s surface. The ‘Samudrayaan’ mission represents a pioneering effort to unravel the mysteries of the deep seas and further our understanding of our planet’s rich resources. Keep an eye on this mission as it unfolds new chapters in India’s scientific journey.