Samudrayaan mission: Features of Matsya 6000, the vehicle that will dive into the abyss
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India, having conquered the skies with numerous successful space missions, is now set to explore the mysteries hidden beneath the ocean's surface. The ambitious Samudrayaan mission aims to send a three-person submersible, Matsya 6000, to a depth of 6,000 meters to study deep-sea resources and biodiversity.
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Meet Matsya 6000, the brainchild of Chennai's NIOT. This cutting-edge submersible is constructed with an 80mm-thick titanium alloy, ensuring its ability to withstand the intense pressures found in the depths of the ocean.
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Matsya 6000 is capable of continuous operation for 12 to 16 hours, it boasts a 96-hour oxygen supply. Safety is paramount with redundancy systems, and tracking is facilitated by the ultra-short baseline acoustic positioning system (USBL).
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Matsya 6000 will investigate chemosynthetic biodiversity in hydrothermal vents and methane seeps, promote tourism and ocean literacy, explore for valuable resources like cobalt and copper, and conduct a comprehensive examination of ocean biodiversity.
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One of Matsya 6000's key tasks is the exploration of chemosynthetic biodiversity in hydrothermal vents and methane seeps, unraveling the mysteries of life in extreme conditions beneath the ocean's surface.
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The Samudrayaan mission submersible is also on a quest for valuable resources such as cobalt, copper, and manganese. This aligns with India's vision for sustainable ocean exploration and resource development.
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Anticipated trials for Matsya 6000 are set to take place in early 2024 in the Bay of Bengal. The overall Samudrayaan mission, a part of India's Rs. 4077-crore Deep Ocean Mission, is scheduled for completion by 2026.
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This deep ocean exploration aligns seamlessly with PM Narendra Modi's 'blue economy' vision, focusing on sustainable ocean resource utilization, economic growth, job creation, and ecosystem preservation.