The Matsya 6000 submersible is a part of India's first manned Deep Ocean Mission, Samudrayaan. The mission aims to send three humans 6,000 meters below sea level in a submersible to study deep-sea resources and assess marine biodiversity.
It is being developed by theNational Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. The initial journey will be limited to 600 meters, ensuring that the submersible does not disturb the marine ecosystem.
The Matsya 6000 features a 2.1-meter-diameter sphere made of 80mm-thick titanium alloy, allowing it to withstand pressures 600 times greater than at sea level.
It will be capable of operating continuously for 12 to 16 hours, with an oxygen supply lasting up to 96 hours. Additionally, it is equipped with a flotation device that enables it to rise to the surface, ensuring its retrieval even if it encounters difficulties resurfacing.
The submersible will also incorporate an ultra-short baseline acoustic positioning system (USBL), enabling communication with the mothership via a transponder, which allows real-time tracking of its location.
Only five nations—France, the US, China, Russia, and Japan—have developed deep-sea submersibles. The Samudrayaan project aims to explore ocean depths for valuable resources, including cobalt, copper, and manganese, while also studying marine biodiversity.
The project is part of India’s ₹4,077-crore Deep Ocean Mission and is expected to be operational by 2026.