Samudrayaan: NIOT to conduct controlled water trials, crew sphere getting ready

India's ambitious Samudrayaan mission is gearing up for a crucial phase, as the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) prepares to conduct a second series of harbour tests in Chennai.The Controlled Water Trials (CWT) are aimed at further validating the country's first indigenous deep-sea submersible systems. The next round of tests will prominently feature a newly integrated titanium exoskeleton, a significant leap in the vehicle's design and safety profile, according to NIOT Director Prof Balaji Ramakrishnan.advertisement
The Matsya-6000 submersible, centerpiece of the Samudrayaan mission, is designed to carry a three-member crew to depths of up to 5,000 meters for deep ocean exploration. Earlier this year, the NIOT successfully completed the maiden harbour wet test at Kattupalli Port near Chennai, which included both manned and unmanned dives to assess the submersible's power, control, flotation, stability, and life support systems.These initial trials validated the core design, but also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly as the mission moves toward deeper and more demanding underwater environments.The upcoming second wet test will focus on the integration and performance of the new titanium exoskeleton, which is expected to enhance the submersible's structural integrity and resilience under extreme pressure.The titanium personnel sphere, being developed in collaboration with Isro, is undergoing advanced welding processes at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, a technological feat given the sphere's 80 mm thickness and the need to withstand pressures found 6,000 meters below sea level.
NIOT completed the maiden harbour wet test at Kattupalli Port near Chennai. (Photo: NIO)
advertisementWelding and fabrication of this critical component are progressing, with plans for rigorous pressure testing in Russia to ensure safety and reliability.NIOT officials emphasise that these controlled water trials are essential for understanding the real-world performance of indigenous systems and for validating the integration of new technologies before attempting deeper dives.The results will inform final preparations for the mission's landmark 500-meter and eventual 5,000-meter crewed dives, aiming to place India among the select nations capable of deep-sea human exploration.Must Watch

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