India’s Deep Ocean Mission is advancing with plans to launch its first human submersible, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s exploration of deep-sea resources.
Overview of the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)
Launched in 2021, the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is a central sector scheme under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), with an estimated budget of ₹4,077 crore over five years (2021–2026). The mission aims to explore deep-sea resources, develop deep-sea technologies, and support India’s blue economy initiatives.
Samudrayaan: India’s First Manned Deep-Sea Mission
A key component of DOM is the Samudrayaan project, which plans to send a three-member crew to a depth of 6,000 meters in the central Indian Ocean using an indigenous submersible named Matsya 6000.
Matsya 6000: The Human Submersible
Developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai, Matsya 6000 is a deep-submergence vehicle designed for deep-sea exploration. It features a titanium alloy personnel sphere capable of withstanding pressures at depths of 6,000 meters. The submersible is equipped to carry three crew members, known as “aquanauts,” along with scientific instruments for ocean exploration.
Mission Timeline and Testing Phases
- 2024: Initial wet tests of Matsya 6000 are scheduled to assess its performance in shallow waters.
- 2025: The submersible is expected to operate at a depth of up to 500 meters, marking India’s first human underwater submersible operation.
- 2026: The mission aims to achieve a crewed descent to 6,000 meters, reaching the ocean bed in the central Indian Ocean.
Objectives and Significance
The Deep Ocean Mission seeks to:
- Explore and harness deep-sea resources, including polymetallic nodules rich in metals like copper, nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
- Develop technologies for deep-sea mining and biodiversity assessment.
- Enhance understanding of deep-sea ecosystems, contributing to sustainable fisheries and conservation efforts.
- Support India’s blue economy by promoting sustainable utilization of ocean resources.
India’s Deep Ocean Mission, through the Samudrayaan project and the deployment of Matsya 6000, represents a significant step towards deep-sea exploration and the sustainable utilization of ocean resources.
The Deep Ocean Mission is a strategic initiative by the Government of India, launched in 2021, aimed at exploring and harnessing ocean resources to support the country’s Blue Economy. It focuses on developing technologies for deep-sea mining, underwater robotics, ocean climate change advisory services, and the conservation of marine biodiversity.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is the nodal agency responsible for implementing the Deep Ocean Mission. The mission is a multi-institutional effort involving various research organizations and institutions across India.
The primary objectives of the Deep Ocean Mission include:
Development of technologies for deep-sea mining and manned submersibles.
Exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity.
Development of ocean climate change advisory services.
Survey and exploration of deep ocean resources.
Development of energy and freshwater from the ocean
Establishment of an Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology.
Samudrayaan is India’s first manned deep-sea mission under the Deep Ocean Mission framework. It aims to send a crewed submersible, Matsya 6000, to a depth of 6,000 meters in the central Indian Ocean to explore deep-sea resources and biodiversity.
Matsya 6000 is an indigenously developed manned submersible designed to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 meters. It features a titanium alloy personnel sphere capable of withstanding high-pressure environments and is equipped with scientific sensors and tools for deep-sea exploration.
