Why in News
India’s Matsya-6000 is scheduled for a 500-metre sea trial in the Bay of Bengal in January–February 2027.
Prelims Pointers
- Samudrayaan is the crewed deep-ocean exploration project under the Deep Ocean Mission of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, is developing Matsya-6000 to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 metres.
- Its titanium-alloy spherical pressure hull protects occupants against the enormous pressure at depth.
- The vehicle is designed for 12 hours of normal operation, with life-support capability for 96 hours in an emergency.
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) assists with the pressure hull. NIOT leads development of the submersible.
Prelims Traps
- “Matsya-6000 is an unmanned underwater vehicle.” This is incorrect. It is designed to carry three people.
- “The planned 500-metre trial establishes that the 6,000-metre mission has already been completed.” This is incorrect. The trial depth and the design target are different.