Context:
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Samudrayaan, India’s first manned deep-sea submersible mission, has faced delays due to difficulties in procuring syntactic foam, a critical material required for deep-sea buoyancy.
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As a result, the planned 500-metre trial dive has been postponed to April next year, impacting the mission timeline.
Key Highlights:
About Samudrayaan Mission
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Samudrayaan is designed to enable manned deep-sea exploration up to 6,000 metres, placing India among a select group of nations with such capability.
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The mission is led by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Cause of Delay – Syntactic Foam Procurement
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Syntactic foam, essential for providing buoyancy under extreme ocean pressure, is being sourced from France.
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Delays in its procurement have stalled the integration process, affecting advanced sea trials.
Current Status of Trials
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A steel replica of the submersible has already been constructed and tested for simulations up to 100 metres.
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Final trials, including a 500-metre dive, have been rescheduled to mid-next year.
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The titanium hull, once fitted with syntactic foam, will undergo pressure testing in Russia.
Role of ISRO and Technology Collaboration
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ISRO is manufacturing two titanium pressure hulls for NIOT.
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The project involves international collaboration for specialised materials and testing, highlighting technological dependencies in deep-sea exploration.
Strategic and Scientific Importance
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Samudrayaan aims to explore the ocean floor, collect samples, and support research related to deep-sea biodiversity and mineral resources, including polymetallic nodules.
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The mission complements India’s Deep Ocean Mission, enhancing marine scientific capability and strategic autonomy.
Relevant Prelims Points:
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Issue: Delay in Samudrayaan due to critical material procurement.
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Implementing Agency: NIOT, Chennai.
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Supervising Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences.
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Key Components:
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Syntactic foam – buoyancy material
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Titanium hull – pressure-resistant structure
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Depth Capability: 6,000 metres.
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Impact: Timeline shift in India’s manned deep-sea exploration programme.
Relevant Mains Points:
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Key Definitions & Concepts:
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Syntactic Foam: Composite material with hollow microspheres, providing buoyancy at great depths.
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Submersible: Specialized underwater vehicle for deep-sea operations.
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Titanium Hull: High-strength, corrosion-resistant structure to withstand extreme pressure.
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Science & Technology (GS III):
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Indigenous capability in ocean engineering and deep-sea technology
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Challenges of critical material dependence
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Geography & Resource Dimension (GS I):
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Exploration of deep-ocean mineral resources
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Governance & Strategic Perspective:
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Need for indigenisation of advanced materials
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Strengthening R&D to reduce external dependencies
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Way Forward:
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Develop domestic capability for syntactic foam production
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Improve supply-chain resilience for strategic missions
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Accelerate testing and certification infrastructure within India
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UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
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GS I: Indian Geography – ocean resources, seabed exploration
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GS III: Science & Technology, Deep Ocean Mission, strategic research
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Prelims: Samudrayaan, NIOT, syntactic foam, titanium hull