Samudrayaan: Matsya-6000 performs manned dives, wet tests off Chennai

Matsya-6000 has been designed and developed by NIOT, Chennai, under Samudrayaan. This submersible will be equipped with high-end instruments, oceanographic sensors, and equipment essential for performing exploration of rare earth minerals, nickel, cobalt, manganese and a host of other under-sea minerals off the Indian coasts.

Unmanned dive off Chennai coast (Credit – NIOT)

After completing dry tests within an operational range of 500 metres, Matsya-6000 was transported to Kattupalli port, located about 30 km north of Chennai. The wet tests were scheduled here during the January 27 to February 12 period and aimed to test and verify the performance of several critical parameters.

These included checks of the onboard power and control networks, Matsya-6000’s floating capabilities, its forward and reverse motion, manoeuvrability and stability, human support and safety systems among other critical checks ahead of the 2026 actual mission. In addition, the onboard sensors were tested for their functionality.

Multiple dives, both manned and unmanned, were undertaken from Matsya-6000 during the recent tests. The manned diving tests were performed to check the reliability of the life support system, an essential requirement for such deep ocean missions.

The three-membered crew that participated in the tests off the Chennai coast. (Credit – NIOT)

Some results that emerged from these first wet tests concluded that the deployed underwater voice communication needed to be improved, the NIOT said.

Matsya-6000 offers an endurance of 12 hours under normal operations and up to 96 hours in case of emergency for human safety. In addition to the scientific research and technological empowerment as the benefits, this mission is also an advancement and development in the underwater engineering innovations.