Samudrayaan Mission: Unveiling Ocean Secrets by 2025 End

India is all set to launch its first manned deep ocean mission, Samudrayaan, by the end of 2025. The mission aims to explore the ocean resources and biodiversity at a depth of 6,000 meters in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).

What is Samudrayaan?

Samudrayaan is a project of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) under the Deep Ocean Mission. It is being developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai. The project involves designing and building a self-propelled submersible called MATSYA 6000, which can carry three humans and a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration. The submersible will have an operational period of 12 hours and an emergency endurance of 96 hours.

Why is Samudrayaan important?

Samudrayaan is important for several reasons. First, it will help India to study and utilize the ocean resources, such as polymetallic nodules, hydrothermal vents, gas hydrates, and marine biotechnology, which have immense potential for economic growth and development. India has been allotted a site of 75,000 sq. km. in the CIOB by the UN International Seabed Authority for the exploitation of polymetallic nodules, which contain metals like copper, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. According to MoES, utilizing 10% of the polymetallic nodule reserve available in the area can meet India’s energy requirements for the next 100 years.

Second, Samudrayaan will help India to understand and conserve the ocean ecosystem and biodiversity, which are vital for maintaining the health and balance of the planet. The deep ocean is home to a rich and diverse array of life forms, many of which are yet to be discovered and documented. Samudrayaan will enable India to conduct scientific research on the deep sea flora and fauna, their adaptation mechanisms, their role in biogeochemical cycles, and their potential applications in biotechnology, medicine, and other fields.

Third, Samudrayaan will help India to enhance its technological capabilities and human resources in the field of ocean engineering and exploration. The project will involve developing and testing various underwater technologies, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), deep sea mining systems (DSMs), autonomous coring systems (ACSs), and underwater communication systems. The project will also provide training and exposure to Indian scientists, engineers, technicians, and divers who will participate in the mission.

What is the status of Samudrayaan?

Samudrayaan was launched as a part of the Deep Ocean Mission in 2021 with an overall estimated cost of Rs. 4077 crores for two phases during 2021-2026. The first phase involves designing and developing MATSYA 6000 submersible and its associated systems. The second phase involves conducting sea trials and deploying the submersible for exploration activities.

According to MoES, MATSYA 6000 submersible design has been completed so far and it is expected to undergo its first sea trials in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast in the first half of 2024. The submersible will be tested for its performance, safety, reliability, and operability at various depths up to 6,000 meters.

In December 2022, NIOT successfully deployed a deep water AUV named Ocean Mineral Explorer (OMe 6000) for exploration of polymetallic nodules at a depth of 5271 meters in the CIOB. The AUV surveyed about 14 sq km area with high resolution seabed features and mapped about 1 km x 0.5 km area with high resolution cameras for quantitative polymetallic nodule resource abundance, distribution and deep-sea biodiversity.

What are the challenges and opportunities of Samudrayaan?

Samudrayaan is a challenging and complex project that requires overcoming several technical, operational, environmental, legal, and ethical issues. Some of the major challenges are:

• Designing and building a robust submersible that can withstand the extreme pressure, temperature, salinity, and darkness of the deep ocean.
• Developing reliable underwater navigation, communication, power supply, data transmission, and safety systems for the submersible and its crew.
• Ensuring adequate training and preparedness of the human crew for coping with the physiological and psychological stress of deep sea diving.
• Conducting responsible exploration and exploitation of ocean resources without disturbing or damaging the ocean ecosystem or violating international laws and norms.

Despite these challenges, Samudrayaan also offers immense opportunities for India to advance its scientific knowledge, technological innovation, economic development, and strategic interests in the ocean domain. Some of the major opportunities are:

• Accessing and securing valuable ocean resources that can boost India’s energy security, industrial growth, and export potential.
• Discovering and documenting new species and genes that can enhance India’s biodiversity wealth and biotechnological applications.
• Contributing to the global understanding and conservation of the ocean environment and its role in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Demonstrating India’s leadership and commitment to the sustainable development and peaceful use of the ocean.

Conclusion

Samudrayaan is a landmark project that will mark India’s entry into the elite club of countries that have achieved manned deep ocean exploration. The project will not only unveil the secrets of the ocean, but also unlock the opportunities for India’s progress and prosperity.

Recent Blog : Titanosaurs Study Decodes Longevity: Earth Largest Land Animals