Samudrayaan Matsya 6000: Right after the success of the Lunar expedition, Chandrayaan 3 and the Solar mission, Aditya 1, India is poised for another recklessly brave endeavour, Samudrayaan MATSYA 6000. The word “Samudrayaan” is derived from the Sanskrit words “Samudra” (meaning sea) and “Yaan” (meaning vehicle or craft), so it can be translated as “Ocean Vehicle” or “Ocean Craft.”
The Samudrayaan program has been envisioned as a mission to explore the deep ocean, much like how India has conducted missions to explore space (such as Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan for the Moon and Mars, respectively). This initiative aims to study the largely unexplored and mysterious world of the deep sea, including its geological, biological, and environmental aspects. Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kirin Rijiju threw lite on Samudrayaan that it plans to plunge 3 human beings, 6000 meters beneath the ocean’s surface in a homegrown submersible to study the deep sea resources including precious metals and minerals. He also confirmed that the said mission shall not disturb the ocean ecosystem.
What is Matsya 6000?
The Matsya 6000 is an “Indian crewed deep-sea submersible” or simply a “deep-sea exploration vehicle” designed for the purpose of conducting deep-sea mineral exploration as part of the “Deep Ocean mission.” It is under construction at National Institute of Ocean Technology at Chennai.
The Deep Ocean Mission supports the ‘Blue Economy’ vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Sh. Narendra Modi Ji and envisages sustainable utilization of ocean resources for economic growth of the country, improve livelihoods and jobs, and preserve ocean ecosystem health as confirmed by Mr. Kiren Rijiju in his tweet on September 11, 2023. https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1701175948673269772?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1701175948673269772%7Ctwgr%5Ecc3d24851850b4b2d85dbbe06aff07cba53c6a54%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jagranjosh.com%2Fgeneral-knowledge%2Fwhat-is-samudrayaan-mission-explained-1694769693-1
Samudryaan Matsya 6000 Budget
The Deep Ocean Mission was approved by the Cabinet with an overall estimated cost of Rs 4,077 crores for two phases of the mission period during 2021-2026, the statement released by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The budget allocated so far is 1400 crores, out of which 405.92 crores have already been disbursed and an expenditure of 225.35 crores has been disbursed.
According to scientists, much more advanced technology has been used in this mission hence there is no panic. It is hoped that India will hoist the victory flag in this mission. India will be a name amongst those few countries like United States of America, Russia, China, France and Japan who too have done successful deep sea missions if the mission stays successful for which every Indian is hopeful. India has paved a way to unveil the secrets that have remained hidden beneath the waves for millennia.
All about Samudrayaan MATSYA 6000
- The submersible is made of 80 mm-thick titanium alloy and has a diameter sphere of 2.1 meters to withstand 600 bar pressure at 6,000 metres depth under water which will be 600 times more than the pressure at sea level.
- It has an endurance of up to 12 hours and an emergency endurance of 96 hours.
- The submersible will be equipped with robotic arms that can collect samples from the ocean floor, manipulate objects..
- It can withstand extreme pressures found in the deep ocean, The submersible is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments for conducting various experiments and measurements, including water quality analysis, sediment sampling, and biological specimen collection.
When was Samudrayaan Mission launched ?
Off the coast of Chennai, the personnel sphere called MATSYA 6000 was dropped for the trial to a depth of 600 meters. Upon the successful trial, the mission received certification and the project was finally launched on 29th October 2021 by Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space.
Matsya 6000 will undergo the first unmanned sea trials in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast in early 2024. The mission is expected to be realised by 2026.
Objectives of Mission Samudrayaan
- Reimagining Deep-Sea Discovery: The primary objective is to unravel the mysteries of the deep ocean. This encompasses the revelation of novel marine species, delving into their unique ecosystems, and unraveling their intricate behaviors.
- Unveiling Mineral Wealth: Deep-sea exploration also extends its reach to uncovering the hidden riches buried beneath the ocean floor. This knowledge serves as a cornerstone for sustainable resource management and economic growth.
- Guarding the Deep Environment: The mission’s focus extends to evaluating the ecological footprint of human activities in the deep sea, including deep-sea mining and fishing. This understanding guides conservation initiatives and responsible resource extraction.
- Pioneering Climate Insights: Recognizing the deep ocean’s pivotal role in climate regulation and carbon storage, the mission becomes an essential contributor to climate change research. It provides crucial data for this vital field of study.
- Driving Technological Advancements: MATSYA 6000 signifies a remarkable leap in India’s prowess in deep-sea exploration technology. The mission strives to propel India’s competence in submersible technology and the realm of oceanographic research.
Challenges for Samudryaan Matsya 6000
For creating something big for ages to remember is not a minute’s job. It takes all the hardwork and sweat to accomplish the same. As remote controlled automobiles will be taking humans under the sea, it requires huge development, research and technology. India will send a team of experts to the depths of the ocean up to 6000 meters below. Due to water turbulence, for the first 100 meters they will feel as if they are inside a washing machine when scientists sit in it and go down.
- It is not a cake walk to go deep inside the ocean as the pressure keeps on increasing. Human beings can not bear the water pressure after a certain depth and can collapse, hence the cabin of the submarine has been pressurised.
- The deep sea is frigid, with temperatures hovering just above freezing. Ensuring that equipment can function effectively in such extreme cold is a significant challenge. Due attention is being given to overcome this challenge by our super talented team of scientists.
- Beyond a certain depth, sunlight cannot penetrate, leading to complete darkness. This makes exploration and observation difficult, necessitating advanced lighting and imaging technologies.
- The saltwater in the deep sea is highly corrosive and can rapidly degrade materials. Specialized coatings and materials are required to protect equipment from corrosion.
- Communication with submersibles and remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) becomes increasingly difficult as you go deeper. Developing reliable communication systems for deep-sea exploration is a persistent challenge.
- Deep-sea exploration often takes place in remote areas of the ocean, far from immediate assistance or support. This isolation presents logistical challenges for equipment maintenance and emergency response.
- Some deep-sea creatures can produce toxins or have other biological defenses that pose risks to researchers and equipment. Safety measures are essential to mitigate these risks.
- While exploring the deep sea, there’s a risk of disturbing delicate ecosystems and unknown species. Balancing the quest for knowledge with environmental conservation is a complex challenge but our Union Minister, Kirin Rijiju has confirmed that there will be absolutely no harm to the ecosystem.
- Collecting samples from the deep sea can be challenging due to the extreme conditions. Developing tools and techniques for safe and efficient sample collection is an ongoing challenge.
Overcoming these challenges is crucial for unlocking the secrets of the deep sea and harnessing its potential for scientific discovery, resource utilization, and environmental protection but we do have a faith that our team will overcome all these challenges and pass with flying colours. They will make themselves and India proud for sure.
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