India's Big Plan to Explore the Deep Ocean: Samudrayaan Mission Unveiled

Defense News ,India :-  India is on a mission called Samudrayaan to uncover the secrets of the deep ocean. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), was given the green light by the Union Cabinet in 2021, with a budget of around ₹4,077 crores spread over five years.

The main goals of Samudrayaan include:

1. Deep-Sea Exploration: Develop technologies for deep-sea mining and create a submersible, named MATSYA 6000, to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean. This submersible, designed by ISRO, will have scientific sensors and tools for mining polymetallic nodules from the central Indian Ocean.

2. Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services: Use ocean observations and models to understand and predict future climate changes.

3. Biodiversity Exploration: Innovate technologies to explore and preserve deep-sea biodiversity.

4. Mineral Exploration: Conduct surveys to identify potential sites for mineral deposits along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges.

5. Energy and Freshwater Utilization: Develop methods to harness energy and freshwater from the ocean.

6. Marine Biology Hub: Establish an advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology, fostering talent and creating opportunities in ocean biology and blue biotechnology.

Samudrayaan Mission Details:

Objective: Explore deep ocean resources and biodiversity by sending a manned submersible to a remarkable depth of 6,000 meters.

Key Features:

1. Manned Submersible: MATSYA 6000, a self-propelled manned submersible.

2. Scientific Sensors and Tools: Equipped with a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration.

3. Endurance: Operates for 12 hours regularly, with the ability to sustain up to 96 hours in emergencies.

Recent Progress:

In December 2022, the Ocean Mineral Explorer (OMe 6000), a deep-water Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), explored the Polymetallic Manganese Nodule (PMN) site at a depth of 5,271 meters in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB). The survey covered 14 square kilometers, providing insights into resource potential, seabed features, and deep-sea biodiversity.

Budget and Timeline:

The Deep Ocean Mission's estimated cost is ₹4,077 crores for two phases (2021-2026). Currently, ₹1,400 crores have been allocated, with ₹405.92 crores disbursed and ₹225.35 crores already spent.

Promise of Samudrayaan:

Samudrayaan holds great promise for advancing our understanding of the ocean's mysteries and supporting India's Blue Economy initiatives.