Latest news with #BalajiRamakrishnan
News18
16-05-2025
- Science
- News18
Inside Samudrayaan: India's Mission To Send 3 Scientists 6,000 Metres Under The Sea
Last Updated: As part of 'Samudrayaan', India will deploy a submersible named Matsya - a 25-tonne titanium-hulled vehicle designed to endure the extreme pressure and cold of the deep ocean. India is preparing to embark on a deep-sea mission of unprecedented scale, one that will send its scientists 6,000 metres beneath the ocean surface – a technological feat achieved by only a handful of nations. The mission, titled Samudrayaan, will mark India's first manned expedition to such depths, placing it in a select global club and expanding its reach from the skies to the seafloor. The announcement was made during a session held at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi on Tuesday, May 13, where Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), outlined the government's plans and timelines. NIOT, which functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is spearheading the mission. As part of Samudrayaan, India will deploy a submersible named Matsya – a 25-tonne titanium-hulled vehicle designed to endure the extreme pressure and cold of the deep ocean. The submersible will carry three crew members into the abyss, where they will collect biological and geological samples, conduct environmental observations, and explore mineral resources critical to future technologies. Next is 'Samudrayaan"This is 'MATSYA 6000' submersible under construction at National Institute of Ocean Technology at Chennai. India's first manned Deep Ocean Mission 'Samudrayaan' plans to send 3 humans in 6-km ocean depth in a submersible, to study the deep sea resources and… — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 11, 2023 The mission is currently in its preparatory phase. A 500-metre test dive is expected by the end of this year, after which the full-depth expedition to 6,000 metres will follow in stages. Each dive is projected to take about four hours for descent and another four for return. 'Samudrayaan is not just a milestone in ocean research; it is a statement of India's technological capacity and long-term vision," Ramakrishnan said at the event. He added that the mission would significantly boost India's ability to study deep-sea biodiversity, climate change impacts, and rare-earth deposits found in the seabed. Matsya, built entirely with indigenous technology, is equipped to navigate one of the harshest environments on the planet – a region of pitch darkness, near-zero temperatures, and pressures over 600 times that at sea level. The data and materials brought back from these missions are expected to inform marine science, pharmaceutical research, and climate modelling. Also unveiled during the session was Samudrajivah, a parallel technological initiative focused on offshore aquaculture. The system uses electronic fish cages capable of operating in nutrient-rich waters away from the coastline. These cages can monitor the growth, health, and habitat of fish populations in real time, offering a scalable solution to enhance India's food security. While Samudrajivah is currently in the demonstration stage, officials say it has the potential to transform India's marine farming sector and reduce dependence on coastal and inland aquaculture zones. The government's dual push – into the deep ocean and sustainable offshore fisheries – signals a strategic expansion of its maritime capabilities. As global competition intensifies over seabed resources and oceanic research frontiers, missions like Samudrayaan represent a shift in India's scientific and geopolitical posture. Though countries like the United States, China, and Russia have already made advances in deep-sea exploration, India's entry into this exclusive space underscores its growing ambitions in both civilian research and marine technology.
NDTV
13-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
India's First Manned Deep Ocean Mission To Be Launched By 2026 End
Kochi: India's first manned deep ocean mission 'Samudrayaan' into a 6,000-metre depth using the manned submersible vehicle 'Matsya' is expected to be launched by the end of 2026, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) Director Balaji Ramakrishnan said on Tuesday. He was speaking after inaugurating a five-day national training programme on the 'role of fisheries in the blue economy' at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here. "The mission will enable deep-sea exploration down to 6000 metres, carrying three scientists on board 'Matsya.' The NIOT, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the implementing nodal agency of the deep ocean mission," he said. Developed with India's indigenous technology, this advanced 25-tonne 4th generation vehicle is specifically engineered to withstand extreme pressure and temperature in the deeper ocean, with a hull made of titanium. "This mission is expected to be a game-changer for India's deep-sea research, opening avenues for the assessment of both living and non-living resources in the deep ocean, comprehensive ocean observation, and the potential for deep-sea tourism," Ramakrishnan said. The launch is planned as a step-by-step process, and a crucial phase of the 500 m depth trial is anticipated by the end of this year," he said, adding the journey to dive deep will take four hours, and the same time is expected to come out. The mission will be instrumental in collecting critical samples from the deeper oceanic zone, offering opportunities for scientists to understand the unique characteristics of the organism and the water in the region, the NIOT director said. Citing another breakthrough in the sector, he said an innovative technology named 'Samudrajivah' has been developed to focus on improved large-scale open sea age farming. "The technology is currently in the demonstration phase," he said, pointing out that these electronically monitored submerged fish cages are designed for offshore regions, capitalising on the nutritionally rich deep-sea environment to optimise the fish growth. Having different sensors, Samudrajivah is capable of remote monitoring of individual fish biomass, growth and movement and water quality parameters, he added. "The technology is expected to be one of the major developments in India's food security," he said. These emerging technologies would be crucial for sustainable development in the marine fisheries sector and will significantly support the country's blue economy initiatives, Dr Ramakrishnan said. The training programme on fisheries is being jointly organised by the CMFRI and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA). In his presidential address, CMFRI director Dr Grinson George said integrating NIOT's technology with CMFRI's marine research achievements would be instrumental in the advancement of a healthy blue economy in India. "Technological enhancement is an urgent need to fully exploit the potential of mariculture activity in India, especially seaweed cultivation", he said and stressed the need for advisories or early warning systems for jellyfish blooms and harmful algal blooms to support fishermen and fish farmers. Former director of Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services Satheesh Shenoi, VIBHA secretary general Vivekananda Pai, and former director of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Dr S Prasanna Kumar also spoke on the occasion, a release from the CMFRI here said.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Training programme at CMFRI
India's first manned deep ocean mission 'Samudrayaan' into a 6,000-metre depth using the manned submersible vehicle Matsya, is expected to be launched by the end of 2026, according to Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of the National Institute of Ocean Technology. He was speaking at the inauguration of a five-day national training programme organised by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and Vijnana Bharati at CMFRI on Tuesday (May 13, 2025). CMFRI Director Grinson George presided over the function.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
India's first manned deep ocean mission at 6,000 m depth to be launched by 2026 end: NIOT
India's first manned deep ocean mission ' Samudrayaan ' into a 6,000-metre depth using the manned submersible vehicle 'Matsya' is expected to be launched by the end of 2026, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) Director Balaji Ramakrishnan said on Tuesday. He was speaking after inaugurating a five-day national training programme on the 'role of fisheries in the blue economy ' at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here. "The mission will enable deep-sea exploration down to 6000 metres, carrying three scientists on board 'Matsya.' The NIOT, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the implementing nodal agency of the deep ocean mission," he said. Developed with India's indigenous technology, this advanced 25-tonne 4th generation vehicle is specifically engineered to withstand extreme pressure and temperature in the deeper ocean, with a hull made of titanium. Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Victoria Principal Is Almost 75, See Her Now Reportingly Undo "This mission is expected to be a game-changer for India's deep-sea research, opening avenues for the assessment of both living and non-living resources in the deep ocean, comprehensive ocean observation, and the potential for deep-sea tourism ," Ramakrishnan said. The launch is planned as a step-by-step process, and a crucial phase of the 500 m depth trial is anticipated by the end of this year," he said, adding the journey to dive deep will take four hours, and the same time is expected to come out. Live Events The mission will be instrumental in collecting critical samples from the deeper oceanic zone, offering opportunities for scientists to understand the unique characteristics of the organism and the water in the region, the NIOT director said. Citing another breakthrough in the sector, he said an innovative technology named 'Samudrajivah' has been developed to focus on improved large-scale open sea age farming. "The technology is currently in the demonstration phase," he said, pointing out that these electronically monitored submerged fish cages are designed for offshore regions, capitalising on the nutritionally rich deep-sea environment to optimise the fish growth. Having different sensors, Samudrajivah is capable of remote monitoring of individual fish biomass, growth and movement and water quality parameters, he added. "The technology is expected to be one of the major developments in India's food security," he said. These emerging technologies would be crucial for sustainable development in the marine fisheries sector and will significantly support the country's blue economy initiatives, Dr Ramakrishnan said. The training programme on fisheries is being jointly organised by the CMFRI and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA). In his presidential address, CMFRI director Dr Grinson George said integrating NIOT's technology with CMFRI's marine research achievements would be instrumental in the advancement of a healthy blue economy in India. "Technological enhancement is an urgent need to fully exploit the potential of mariculture activity in India, especially seaweed cultivation", he said and stressed the need for advisories or early warning systems for jellyfish blooms and harmful algal blooms to support fishermen and fish farmers. Former director of Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services Satheesh Shenoi, VIBHA secretary general Vivekananda Pai, and former director of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Dr S Prasanna Kumar also spoke on the occasion, a release from the CMFRI here said.
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Science
- Hans India
India's first manned deep ocean mission to be launched by 2026 end
Kochi: India's first manned deep ocean mission, Samudrayaan, is expected to be launched by the end of 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country's ocean exploration capabilities. The mission will descend to a depth of 6,000 m using the indigenous submersible vehicle Matsya, said Dr Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). Dr Ramakrishnan was speaking at the inauguration of a five-day national training programme on the role of fisheries in the blue economy, held at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here on Tuesday. The mission will enable deep-sea exploration with three scientists on board the Matsya submersible. Weighing 25 tonnes, the fourth-generation vehicle is engineered to withstand extreme pressure and temperature, featuring a titanium hull and developed entirely with indigenous technology. NIOT, functioning under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the nodal agency implementing the mission. 'This mission is expected to be a game-changer for India's deep-sea research. It will facilitate the assessment of living and non-living marine resources, enhance ocean observation, and potentially open avenues for deep-sea tourism,' said Dr Ramakrishnan. He added that a critical trial phase at 500 metres depth is slated for completion by the end of this year. The descent and ascent for the mission will each take approximately four hours. The submersible will collect valuable biological and geological samples from the deep ocean, enabling scientists to study unique organisms and environmental conditions at those depths. Highlighting another technological breakthrough, Dr Ramakrishnan announced the development of Samudrajivah, an innovation aimed at advancing large-scale offshore fish farming. Currently in the demonstration phase, Samudrajivah comprises electronically monitored submerged fish cages designed for nutrient-rich deep-sea zones. "Equipped with various sensors, Samudrajivah can remotely monitor fish biomass, growth, movement, and water quality parameters. This technology has the potential to significantly contribute to India's food security,' he said. The training programme is jointly organised by CMFRI and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA). CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George emphasised the importance of integrating NIOT's technological advancements with CMFRI's marine research. 'This synergy will be crucial for fostering a robust blue economy. There is also a pressing need to strengthen mariculture activities, including seaweed farming, and develop early warning systems for jellyfish and harmful algal blooms to support coastal communities,' he said.
