New Delhi, Feb 13: India’s first manned submersible ‘Matsya 6000’ is expected to carry three people to a depth of 6000 metres in the ocean by 2026, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh on Thursday. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, Singh noted that the ‘Matsya 6000’, part of the Deep Ocean Mission, will explore the ocean biodiversity, survey, and mineral resources with a suite of scientific sensors.
“The manned submersible Matsya 6000 is likely to be realised by 2026,” Singh said, informing that the technologies developed under the Deep Ocean Mission will “expand the country’s capability for deep-sea man-rated vehicle development”. It will also pave the way for sustainable deep-sea exploration and harnessing of deep-sea living and non-living resources. In addition, the mission also has immediate spin-offs in underwater engineering innovations, asset inspection, and the promotion of ocean literacy. Matsya 6000 will house a 2.1-metre internal diameter Titanium alloy personnel sphere to safely carry humans to a 6000 m depth.