Samudrayaan Mission: India to Conduct First Wet Harbor Test of Matsya-6000 This Month; Learn How It Will Advance Deep Ocean Mission

India will conduct the first harbor wet test of the submersible Matsya-6000 in the last week of December 2024 under its ambitious Samudrayaan mission. This important test will take place at Chennai port, where the submarine Matsya-6000 will be tested at a depth of 15 meters.

The purpose of this test is to evaluate the performance of the deep-submergence vehicle going up to a depth of 6,000 meters in the deep sea. Senior officials associated with India's Deep Ocean Mission said that the timing of the test will depend on the favorable weather.

Unmanned deep-sea tests in 2026.

Matsya-6000 is equipped with technologies such as advanced life saving systems, navigation equipment, and robotic arms for sample collection. This innovative approach aims to facilitate the exploration of marine resources and enhance scientific research on rare minerals. The project plans to conduct shallow water tests in 2025, followed by unmanned deep-sea tests in 2026.

Selected members will be given rigorous training

The Government of India approved this mission in 2021 with a budget of Rs 4,077 crores. The mission will have a three-member crew, led by a retired submarine driver of the Navy. The selection of the crew is currently underway, and the selected members will be given rigorous training at the Naval Medical Institute.

Will help in discovering valuable resources like nickel and cobalt

Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has highlighted the potential benefits of this mission not only for scientific advancement but also for innovations in underwater engineering and ocean literacy. He said that the manned submarine will help in direct human observation of the deep ocean environment, which will help in discovering valuable resources like nickel and cobalt.

India is the sixth country to have built a manned submersible. Before this, America, Russia, Japan, France and China have built manned submersibles. Currently, preparations are underway for the wet trial, which is an important step towards strengthening India's deep-sea exploration capabilities and meeting the country's broader goals towards sustainable use of marine resources.