Matsya-6000: India’s First Human Submarine Ready for Deep Ocean Mission
Matsya-6000: India’s First Human Submarine Ready for Deep Ocean Mission
📰 Matsya-6000: India’s First Human Submarine Ready for Deep Ocean Mission
About the Submarine: Matsya-6000 is India’s first manned submersible, developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It can carry 3 crew members to a depth of 6,000 meters.
Key Features:
Designed with international safety standards.
Emergency endurance: 96 hours.
Regular communication: Pilot will send updates every 30 minutes via underwater acoustic telephone.
Personnel Sphere: 2.1-meter titanium alloy chamber, capable of withstanding 720 bar pressure (1.2× more than required at 6000 m depth).
Equipped with Human Support and Safety System (HSSS) certified by DNV (Det Norske Veritas, Norway).
Testing & Readiness:
Successfully demonstrated near Kattupalli Port, Chennai with 3-member crew.
Designed to stay buoyant at all times unless ballasting is done to dive.
Includes redundant safety systems: backup power, control, and communication devices.
Purpose & Significance:
To explore deep-sea resources and unlock ocean mysteries.
Strengthens India’s Deep Ocean Mission (launched 2021).
Enables collaboration with global projects like France’s Nautile submersible (also capable of 6000 m depth).
Funding & Development:
Multi-year government funding:
₹150 Cr (2021-22),
₹650 Cr (2022-23),
₹600 Cr (2023-24 & 2024-25).
Developed with support from ISRO, DRDO, IITs, Indian Navy, SAMEER-Chennai, and private sector firms like L&T, TINI Industries, Rangsons Aerospace, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd. (MIDHANI) etc.
Life Support System:
Maintains 20% oxygen, CO₂ under 1000 ppm, and humidity at safe levels.
Communication supported by underwater acoustic modem and sub-phone (rated for 500 m).
Designed for 12 hours normal operation, expandable to 96 hours in emergencies.
