Samudrayaan/ Matsya-6000

Why in the News?

India is gearing up for the Samudrayaan mission, which aims to send humans nearly 6,000 meters below sea level by 2027.

• Recently, two Indian aquanauts trained in the Atlantic Ocean aboard the French vessel Nautile as part of preparations.
• The National Institute of Ocean Technology is leading the mission.

About Samudrayaan & Matsya-6000:

Samudrayaan Project:

• Aim: Harness deep-ocean resources for economic growth and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity.
• Part of India’s “Blue Economy” policy.
• Goals include:

• Exploration of minerals (nickel, cobalt, rare earths, etc.).
• Deep-sea biodiversity studies.
• Technologies for freshwater from the ocean.
• Developing marine biology research.

• Approved in 2021 with Rs 4,077 crore budget for five years.

Matsya-6000 Submersible:

• Specially designed human-carrying vehicle to dive up to 6,000 metres.
• Structure: “Personnel sphere” of 2.1 m diameter, made of titanium alloy.
• Capacity: 3 people, 12-hour mission endurance (up to 96 hours in emergencies).
• Safety: Equipped with packed re-breather oxygen systems, carbon dioxide scrubbers, and life-support technology.
• A wet test was already conducted off the Chennai coast in February.
• It will withstand 600 times atmospheric pressure at 6,000m depth.

Challenges of Deep-Sea Exploration:

• High pressure: Even a tiny crack can collapse the sphere.
• Maintaining environment: Oxygen/CO₂ balance must be managed carefully.
• Limited human capability: Aquanauts can only stay a few hours, cannot use conventional communication.
• Acoustic communication used instead of radio waves.
• Need for precise vessel development and survival training.