IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

SAMUDRAYAAN

21st March, 2023 Science and Technology

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Context

  • The National Institute of Ocean Technology is set to spearhead a 6,000-metre dive into the Indian Ocean, a mission to explore marine biodiversity and potential of the seabed.

To Read all about Samudryaan Mission Click Here: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/deep-ocean-mission-and-samudrayaan-project

Samudrayaan Mission

About

  • Samudrayaan Mission is related to the ocean/sea.
  • The Indian Government launched the Samudrayaan mission in October 2021.

Aim of the Mission

  • It is aimed to develop "a self-propelled manned submersible to carry three human beings to a water depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean with a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration.
  • Developed indigenously, MATSYA 6000 is a manned submersible vehicle.
  • It will facilitate the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in conducting deep ocean exploration.
  • It has an endurance of 12 hours of operational period and 96 hours in case of emergency.
  • The manned submersible will allow scientific personnel to observe and understand unexplored deep-sea areas by direct intervention.

Device for Samudrayaan misison:

  • National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has developed a 6000 m depth-rated Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and various other underwater instruments.
  • Some of the critical subsystems of the manned submersibles are the development of the Ti Alloy Personnel Sphere, Human support and safety system in enclosed space, low-density buoyancy modules, and Ballast and Trim System.

Relevance for India

  • India has a unique maritime position, a 7517 km long coastline, which is home to nine coastal states and 1,382 islands.
  • The mission aims to boost the Central government's vision of 'New India' that highlights the Blue Economy as one of the ten core dimensions of growth.
  • For India, with its three sides surrounded by the oceans and around 30% of the nation's population living in coastal areas and coastal regions play a major economic factor. It supports fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, livelihoods, and blue trade.

Significance of the Mission

  • This niche technology shall facilitate in carrying out deep ocean exploration of the non-living resources such as polymetallic manganese nodules, gas hydrates, hydro-thermal sulfides, and cobalt crusts, located at a depth between 1000 and 5500 meters.

PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Choose the correct answer with reference to the following statements.

A.    Deep Ocean Mission is an initiative to undertake the deep ocean exploration focused on India's exclusive economic zones and continental shelf. It is under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

B.    Under the Project Samudrayaan, a manned scientific submersible has been proposed to be developed for deep ocean exploration.

1) A only

2) B only

3) Both A and B

4) Neither A nor B

Answer: 2

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/india-suits-up-for-deepest-dive-yet-with-national-institute-of-ocean-technologys-samudrayaan/article66634534.ece

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/samudrayaan-mission-in-a-first-india-to-send-humans-6-000-metres-deep-in-ocean-11659781916067.html