India Fast-Tracks Samudrayaan Submersible For 500-Metre Maiden Dive In May 2026

India is fast-tracking its Samudrayaan deep-sea exploration program, with the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) gearing up for the submersible's maiden dive in May 2026 at a depth of 500 metres, reported India Today.

This trial represents a crucial milestone on the path to the manned mission's ultimate target of 6,000 metres.

Engineers at NIOT's Chennai facility are currently integrating the 25-tonne Matsya-6000 vehicle, fine-tuning critical components.

NIOT Director Prof. Balaji Ramakrishnan has disclosed that a second shallow-water trial might be bypassed altogether.

The team plans to advance straight to the 500-metre dive, enabling real-world testing of systems such as pressure hull integrity, life support, and navigation sensors.

This bold timeline underscores the confidence in the indigenous design, crafted under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) initiated in 2021 with a budget of ₹4,077 crore.

Led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the mission elevates India to the ranks of leading nations like the US, Russia, China, France, and Japan in manned submersible capabilities.

Samudrayaan, a cornerstone of DOM, features the titanium-hulled Matsya-6000, designed to accommodate three aquanauts for 12-hour missions, extendable to 96 hours in emergencies.

The submersible will deploy from the research vessel Sagar Nidhi, facilitating sample collection for marine biodiversity studies, geological mapping, and resource prospecting—especially polymetallic nodules within India's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Recent Indo-French partnerships, including aquanaut dives to 5,002 metres in the Nautile submersible, have enhanced India's technical know-how ahead of this landmark.

The May 2026 dive carries strategic weight amid rising demands for ocean surveillance and resource security.

A successful outing will clear the decks for full-scale 6,000-metre operations by late 2026 or 2027, unlocking opportunities in the blue economy.

These include sustainable deep-sea mining, climate research, and potentially even deep-sea tourism.

NIOT's parallel innovations, like the Samudrajivah underwater fish farm, promise to bolster food security through advanced ocean technologies.

Yet challenges persist, notably in high-pressure engineering and combating biofouling.

NIOT's strides nevertheless herald India's ascent as an oceanographic powerhouse.

As integration work presses on in Chennai, international observers are fixed on this pivotal May descent—a bold transition from uncrewed tests to human-rated deep-sea endeavours.

Based On India Today Report

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India To Achieve Rare Global Milestone With Parallel Human Missions In Space And Deep Sea By 2027: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh

India is poised to achieve a rare global milestone by 2027, undertaking parallel human missions in outer space and the deep sea, as announced by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh. Speaking at a media conclave on 16 December 2025, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, outlined this ambitious roadmap.

Dr Singh emphasised that India's scientific endeavours are guided by confidence, capability, and clarity of purpose in pursuit of Viksit Bharat@2047. As the nation nears the centenary of Independence in 2047, global observers will scrutinise not only its achievements but also the values, systems, and pathways underpinning its progress.

He highlighted India's enduring democracy, constitutional robustness, and civilisational continuity as foundational strengths propelling future growth. These elements underpin the nation's forward trajectory in science and exploration.

The Minister drew attention to India's expanding frontiers beyond traditional domains into underexplored realms like space and deep ocean research. This shift marks a decisive advancement in the country's scientific portfolio.

Under the Deep Ocean Mission, India plans a manned dive to 500 metres as early as 2026. This mission will utilise the indigenous submersible MATSYA, paving the way for deeper explorations.

By 2027, India aims to reach depths of 6,000 metres, unlocking the potential of its vast 11,000-kilometre coastline. Rich in critical minerals, fisheries, medicinal resources, and biodiversity, these marine assets have long remained underutilised.

Dr Singh noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly underscored deep ocean exploration in Independence Day addresses, elevating it to a national priority. The Mission positions India as a key player in the global blue economy.

The year 2027 will stand out as India conducts human space missions alongside deep-sea explorations—a feat achieved by only a handful of nations. This dual endeavour symbolises India's scientific maturity and integrated approach to complex challenges.

In the space domain, reforms over the past decade have transformed India from a regulated player to a confident space-faring nation. The sector's opening to private participation has spurred hundreds of startups and entrepreneurs.

India's space economy is projected to expand multifold, contributing significantly to national growth and international collaboration. This ecosystem reflects a vibrant, innovative landscape.

Dr Singh linked these advancements to PM Modi's vision of ‘Virasat se Vikas’, blending heritage with development. India's model leverages natural assets like the Himalayas, oceans, traditional knowledge, and biodiversity for sustainable, inclusive progress.

The Deep Ocean Mission exemplifies this philosophy, converting legacy marine resources into value-added opportunities. It balances technological innovation with ethical and societal responsibilities.

India is no longer merely following global trends but charting pathways for others, Dr Singh asserted. From space science and biotechnology to deep-sea research, the nation leads in integrated innovation.

Concluding his remarks, the Minister stated that India's journey to 2047 will be defined by the confidence to explore the unknown, the courage to reform, and the capacity for global contributions. These missions—on land, in ocean depths, and in space—serve humanity at large.

This announcement from PIB Delhi underscores India's strategic pivot towards concurrent frontiers of exploration, reinforcing its stature in global science and technology.

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In A First, Indian Aquanauts Go 5,000-Metre Deep Into Ocean

Two Indian aquanauts achieved a historic milestone by diving to depths of over 4,000 and 5,000 meters in the North Atlantic Ocean, marking India’s deepest ocean expedition to date. Conducted in partnership with France on August 5 and 6, 2025, the dives were made in the French submersible "Nautile" as part of preparations for India’s ambitious Deep Ocean Mission, also known as Samudrayaan.

On August 5, Raju Ramesh, a scientist at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), descended to 4,025 meters.

The next day, retired Indian Navy Commander Jatinder Pal Singh became the first Indian to reach a depth of 5,002 meters. Singh’s descent took 2.5 hours, with another 2.5 hours to return to the surface, totalling nearly 10 hours underwater including about four hours of operational activity at the ocean bed.

During the dive, Singh collected samples and operated robotic arms (manipulators) to better understand their functionality at such extreme depths. He also observed the deep ocean environment where sunlight cannot penetrate.

The expedition served as a critical experience for the Indian team, providing hands-on knowledge about pre-dive preparations, navigation, manoeuvring, sampling, communication, and trajectory tracking needed for manned deep-sea exploration.

Union Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted the milestone as symbolic of India’s dual thrust into space and deep ocean exploration, noting the significance of these advances for economic growth through underexplored sectors.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown strong interest in the Deep Ocean Mission, mentioning it multiple times in his recent Independence Day speeches. The minister also indicated that India aims to have Indians going into space in Indian spacecraft and simultaneously into the deep ocean using indigenously developed submersibles.

The Deep Ocean Mission, approved in 2021 and implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, aims to develop both crewed and uncrewed submersibles, deep-sea mining technologies, ocean climate services, biodiversity research, and ocean energy. The program targets harnessing resources within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf.

Before India begins deep dives with its own indigenous submersible, Matsya-6000, further dives will be conducted in the French Nautile. The Matsya-6000 submersible is designed to carry three persons to depths of up to 6,000 meters inside a 2.1-meter diameter titanium alloy spherical cabin that can withstand extreme oceanic pressures. It includes scientific sensors, communication and safety systems, with emergency endurance of up to 96 hours. The first deep dive with the Matsya-6000 is targeted around December 2027.

With this achievement, India joins an elite group of fewer than six nations worldwide with the capability to undertake manned deep-sea missions, marking a significant leap forward in oceanic exploration and technology development. The event also comes a month after India’s astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla reached the International Space Station, symbolising India’s expanding frontiers in both space and ocean exploration.

This historic expedition underlines the strategic importance India places on the blue economy, combining scientific innovation with economic potential from deep-sea resources, and signals India’s readiness to explore and exploit oceanic wealth at great depths through technological self-reliance and international collaboration.

Based On Tribune Report

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Big Step For Samudrayaan As ISRO, NIOT Complete Key Weld On Deep-Sea Submersible After ‘700 Trials’

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) have successfully completed a critical welding process on the personnel sphere of the deep-sea submersible Matsya-6000 for the Samudrayaan mission, marking a major milestone in India's Deep Ocean Mission.

This titanium sphere, which will serve as the crew capsule for this manned submersible, has a diameter of 2,260 mm and walls 80 mm thick, designed to withstand pressures up to 600 bar and temperatures down to -3°C at depths of 6,000 meters under the sea.

The weld involved joining thick titanium alloy plates—a difficult metal to weld—using advanced electron beam welding (EBW) technology, typically reserved for spacecraft and nuclear energy components. This was India's first-ever high-penetration weld on such thick titanium material, covering a length of 7,100 mm executed continuously over 32 minutes.

Achieving this weld was particularly challenging due to titanium's high reactivity with oxygen and nitrogen, which can cause porosity and embrittlement in the weld. To meet these challenges, ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Bangalore enhanced its welding infrastructure, upgrading the EBW machine capacity from 15 kW to 40 kW and adapting chemical cleaning and handling equipment.

For quality assurance, they developed a high-energy 7.5 MeV X-ray radiography facility for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) to certify the weld's integrity without damaging it. Multiple NDE techniques—including Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) and Dual Linear Array (DLA) Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)—were used to detect microscopic defects and ensure safety and reliability.

The completion of this weld came after nearly 700 trial welds, some including artificial defects to rigorously test the process, making this a pioneering achievement for India in human-rated deep-sea submersible technology.

This critical step brings the Matsya-6000 closer to underwater trials and eventual deployment. Once operational, it will place India among a select group of nations capable of sending humans to depths of 6,000 meters for deep ocean exploration, mineral resource assessment, marine biodiversity studies, and advanced underwater technology development.

This welding accomplishment is not only a technical breakthrough in materials engineering but also a foundational achievement that advances the Samudrayaan mission’s goal of human-crewed deep-sea exploration, expected to realize full operational capacity by around 2026.

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What Next After Axiom-4 Mission? Know ISRO's All Upcoming Missions

From the 1975 launch of Aryabhata to the landmark Axiom-4 mission in 2025, ISRO has rapidly evolved into a global space power, balancing independent achievements with international collaborations. This trajectory has positioned India at the forefront of both space and deep-sea exploration, supported by robust government reforms, increased private sector participation, and a surge in foreign investment.

ISRO’s Upcoming Missions: The Next Frontier

Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Program

ISRO’s most anticipated project is the Gaganyaan mission, which will mark India’s entry into independent human spaceflight. The first uncrewed test flight is scheduled for December 2025 and will carry the humanoid robot Vyommitra into Low Earth Orbit using the GSLV MK-III (LVM-3) rocket. 

This mission will validate critical systems for human spaceflight, paving the way for subsequent uncrewed tests in 2026 and culminating in the first crewed Indian mission in 2027, aiming to send three astronauts into orbit. Participation in the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station in 2025, with Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on board, will provide vital operational experience and training ahead of Gaganyaan’s crewed launch.

Samudrayaan Mission

Scheduled for 2026, the Samudrayaan Mission represents ISRO’s foray into deep-sea exploration. A three-member crew will descend to 6,000 metres in a specialized submersible developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). The mission will study marine biodiversity, seabed ecosystems, and mineral resources, supporting India’s Blue Economy vision and technological advancement in ocean sciences.

Chandrayaan-4: Lunar Sample Return

Chandrayaan-4, planned for 2027, will be India’s first lunar sample return mission. This complex operation will involve two launches and assembling four modules (Transfer, Lander, Ascender, and Re-entry) in lunar orbit. Its goal is to collect and return Moon soil and rock samples, potentially in collaboration with international partners like Russia or NASA.

Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX: Lunar Polar Exploration

Following Chandrayaan-4, ISRO and JAXA (Japan) will collaborate on the Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX mission, targeting the lunar south pole’s permanently shadowed regions. The mission will focus on the study of lunar water and volatiles, crucial for future lunar habitation and exploration.

Venus Orbiter Mission (Shukrayaan)

Set for launch around 2028, the Venus Orbiter Mission will study Venus’s atmosphere and surface, marking India’s entry into planetary exploration beyond the Moon and Mars.

Mars Orbiter Mission 2 (Mangalyaan-2)

Planned for 2031, Mangalyaan-2 will build on the success of India’s first Mars mission. It is expected to feature a lander, rover, and even a helicopter, aiming to demonstrate advanced interplanetary landing and exploration capabilities.

Bharatiya Antariksha Station (Indian Space Station)

By 2028–2035, ISRO plans to establish its own space station, weighing 20 tonnes and orbiting at 400 km altitude. The station will support 15–20 day astronaut stays, further cementing India’s independent human spaceflight capabilities.

AstroSat-2

AstroSat-2, a successor to India’s first multi-wavelength space observatory, is in the proposal stage and will advance astrophysics research with new instruments and capabilities.

Strategic Significance

These upcoming missions signify a pivotal shift in India’s scientific and technological landscape. They promise not only technological breakthroughs and enhanced international prestige but also economic and strategic benefits by fostering innovation, supporting the blue economy, and unlocking access to critical resources. ISRO’s ambitious roadmap underscores India’s commitment to global leadership in space and ocean exploration, setting the stage for a new era of discovery and collaboration.

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India's First Crewed Deep-Sea Mission Set For Testing

India's First Crewed Deep-Sea Mission Set for Testing: The mission, named Samudrayaan, is poised to undergo critical testing as it aims to send a crew of three to depths of 6,000 meters in the Indian Ocean. This initiative is being spearheaded by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai, with preparations spanning over three years. The submersible, known as Matsya-6000, is designed to withstand extreme underwater pressures and will be tested in a harbour off Chennai soon.

Significance and Objectives: The Samudrayaan mission is not only a landmark achievement for India but also positions the country alongside nations like the USA, Russia, Japan, France, and China, which have developed similar underwater exploration capabilities. The mission aims to explore deep-sea resources, assess biodiversity, and contribute to India's Blue Economy initiatives.

Technical Details: Matsya-6000 features a titanium alloy personnel sphere capable of accommodating three scientists for up to 12 hours of exploration. It will be tested initially without a crew and then with crew members as part of a phased approach to ensure safety and functionality. The vehicle is equipped with advanced propulsion systems and communication technologies tailored for deep-sea operations.

Wet Test

Every corner of NIOT’s 50 acre-campus in Chennai is abuzz with discussions on the upcoming harbour test. From the institute director’s office to the integration facility where three different teams are working together to assemble the Matsya-6000 vehicle. Louder still are the mechanical whirrs and rhythmic hums that greet people passing by the integration facility at any time of the day.

Future Aspirations: If successful, Samudrayaan will mark a significant advancement in India's scientific endeavours, enabling further research into oceanic ecosystems and mineral resources. The project director emphasized that this mission represents a new generation of manned submersibles, enhancing India's capabilities in ocean exploration akin to how ISRO has advanced space exploration.

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Samudrayaan Mission To Be Piloted By Retired Indian Navy Submariner

Samudrayaan Mission's Matsya-6000 submersible getting ready for wet test

The crew for this ground breaking mission will consist of three members, one of whom is confirmed to be a retired Indian Navy submariner.

India is gearing up for its ambitious Samudrayaan mission, which aims to explore the depths of the ocean with its first manned submersible, Matsya-6000.

The mission is set to undergo its maiden wet test in the final week of October, where scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) will evaluate the submersible's flotation, buoyancy, and life support systems.

This critical phase marks a significant step in the development of Matsya-6000, which is designed to dive to depths of 6,000 meters below sea level.

The crew for this ground breaking mission will consist of three members, one of whom is confirmed to be a retired Indian Navy submariner.

The final selection of crew members is expected to be completed within the next two to three months.

This former naval officer, whose name will be revealed at a later time, has joined NIOT as a scientist, post retirement, and will contribute significantly to the training and preparedness for the mission. His experience, according to sources in the NIOT, includes working with the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle during his tenure in the Navy, providing him with invaluable expertise for operating the submersible.

NIOT is currently in the process of selecting the remaining two crew members, who may either come from the Indian Navy or be scientists from the institute.

The screening process is being conducted by the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM). Once selected, the crew will undergo a rigorous training module at the INM for two weeks, followed by specialised training in the Matsya-6000 cockpit to familiarise themselves with its design and technology.

This will be complemented by submarine pilot training in an international location that is yet to be finalised.

The final selection of crew members is expected to be completed within the next two to three months.

NIOT is also preparing for the upcoming wet test at Chennai Harbour, where they will conduct flotation tests at a depth of 15 meters. This initial test is crucial for validating the submersible's systems before deeper trials commence.

Matsya-6000 represents a significant leap for India in deep-sea exploration technology. With an investment of ₹4,077 crore (approximately $550 million), this project aims not only to advance scientific research but also to explore valuable ocean resources such as gas hydrates and polymetallic nodules.

The successful execution of Samudrayaan will position India among a select group of nations capable of manned deep-sea exploration, enhancing its stature in global marine research efforts.

Agencies

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India Gears Up For ‘Samudrayaan’ Deep Ocean Mission

So far, the U.S., Russia, China, France and Japan have carried out successful deep-ocean crewed missions

The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is India’s ambitious quest to explore and harness the depths of the ocean. As part of this initiative, India will, for the first time, embark on a journey to a depth of 6,000 metres in the ocean using an indigenously developed submersible with a three-member crew. The mission will require technologies to access and transport tonnes of valuable minerals from the ocean-bed in an environmentally safe manner. The following interview, with M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, breaks down the mission and its salient features and challenges. It was conducted by Bhavya Khanna, a scientist in the Ministry.

DOM is India’s ambitious program, chiefly implemented by the MoES. DOM was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2021 at a cost of nearly ₹4,077 crore over a five-year period in a phased manner.

The mission has six pillars:

(a) Development of technologies for deep-sea mining and a manned submersible to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 metres in the ocean. The submersible will be equipped with a suite of scientific sensors, tools and an integrated system for mining polymetallic nodules from the central Indian Ocean; ISRO developed the design of the crewed submersible capsule capable of travelling 6,000 m deep for the mission;

(b) Development of ocean climate change advisory services, involving an array of ocean observations and models to understand and provide future climate projections;

(c) Technological innovations for the exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity;

(d Deep-ocean survey and exploration aimed at identifying potential sites of multi-metal hydrothermal sulphides mineralisation along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges;

(e) Harnessing energy and freshwater from the ocean; and

(f) Establishing an advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology, as a hub for nurturing talent and driving new opportunities in ocean biology and blue biotechnology.

Here are the Key details of Samudrayaan Mission:

Objective:

The primary goal of Samudrayaan is to explore the deep ocean resources and biodiversity.

It aims to send a manned submersible to a remarkable depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean.

Key Features:

Manned Submersible: The project involves developing a self-propelled manned submersible called MATSYA 6000.

Scientific Sensors and Tools: MATSYA-6000 will carry a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration.

Endurance: It has an operational endurance of 12 hours and can sustain up to 96 hours in case of emergencies.

Recent Progress:

The Ocean Mineral Explorer (OMe 6000), a deep water Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), was deployed during December 2022.

The AUV explored the Polymetallic Manganese Nodule (PMN) site at a depth of 5,271 meters in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).

The survey covered an area of approximately 14 square kilometers, providing high-resolution seabed features and insights into resource potential.

Additionally, high-resolution cameras mapped a 1 km x 0.5 km area, revealing manganese nodule distributions and deep-sea biodiversity.

Budget And Timeline:

The Deep Ocean Mission was approved by the Cabinet with an estimated cost of ₹4,077 crores for two phases (2021-2026).

So far, ₹1,400 crore has been allocated, with ₹405.92 crores disbursed and ₹225.35 crores already spent.

Samudrayaan holds immense promise for advancing our understanding of the ocean’s mysteries and supporting India’s Blue Economy initiatives.

Our Bureau

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What is Samudrayaan? India’s First Manned Deep Ocean Mission, Know All Details

After the successful projects of ISRO’s lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 and the solar mission Aditya-1, India is now geared up to launch the country’s first manned deep ocean mission ‘Samudrayaan’ to study the deep ocean resources such as metals, minerals, and biodiversity.

Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju shared details about Samudrayaan, “India’s first manned deep ocean mission ‘Samudrayaan’ plans to send 3 humans in 6-km ocean depth in a submersible, to study the deep sea resources and biodiversity assessment.” Rijiju added that the Samudrayaan mission shall not disturb the ocean ecosystem.

Next Is "Samudrayaan"

This is 'MATSYA 6000' submersible under construction at National Institute of Ocean Technology at Chennai. India’s first manned Deep Ocean Mission ‘Samudrayaan’ plans to send 3 humans in 6-km ocean depth in a submersible, to study the deep sea resources and…

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 11, 2023

Next is "Samudrayaan"
This is 'MATSYA 6000' submersible under construction at National Institute of Ocean Technology at Chennai. India’s first manned Deep Ocean Mission ‘Samudrayaan’ plans to send 3 humans in 6-km ocean depth in a submersible, to study the deep sea resources and… pic.twitter.com/aHuR56esi7

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 11, 2023

“The Deep Ocean Mission supports the 'Blue Economy' vision of PM Narendra Modi ji, and envisages sustainable utilisation of ocean resources for economic growth of the country, improve livelihoods and jobs, and preserve ocean ecosystem health,” he highlighted.

What Is Samudrayaan Mission?

The Samudrayaan Mission is India's first manned ocean mission to explore the deep ocean. It is a project of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) under the Deep Ocean Mission and is being developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai. The mission aims to send three people to a depth of 6,000 meters in a submersible called the MATSYA-6000.

Significance of Samudrayaan Mission

Understanding the seas would also go a long way in mitigating the crisis of climate change. The mission aims to support the Blue Economy Initiatives of the Indian government and subsequently help India in achieving the target of over Rs. 100 billion “Blue Economy” through its ocean resources.

India has been allotted a site of 75,000 sq. km. in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by the UN International Sea Bed Authority for the exploitation of polymetallic nodules (PMN). Just utilizing 10% of the PMN reserve available in the area, the country can meet its energy requirements for the next 100 years, according to a statement by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Who Developed The Samudrayaan Mission?

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, an autonomous institute under MoES, has developed a 6000m depth-rated Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ‘Matsya-6000’and various other underwater instruments such as Autonomous Coring System (ACS), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Deep Sea Mining System (DSM) for the exploration of the deep sea.

Key Features of ‘Matsya-6000’

The submersible is made of 80mm-thick titanium alloy and has a diameter sphere of 2.1 meters to withstand 600 bar pressure at 6,000 metres depth under water which will be 600 times more than the pressure at sea level. The submersible has an endurance of up to 12 hours and an emergency endurance of 96 hours.

What Is The Cost of The Samudrayaan Mission?

The Deep Ocean Mission was approved by the Cabinet with an overall estimated cost of Rs.4077 Crores for two phases of the Mission period during 2021-2026. The allocated budget so far is Rs.1400 crore, out of which Rs.405.92 crores has already been disbursed and an expenditure of Rs.225.35 crores have been incurred.

Samudryaan Mission Launch Date

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on June 16, 2021, approved the proposal of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on “Deep Ocean Mission”. The Deep Ocean Mission was launched in October 2021 as a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Under the Mission, Deep water Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) namely Ocean Mineral Explorer (OMe 6000) has been deployed for exploration. Deep sea mineral exploration was performed using OMe 6000 AUV during December 2022 using research ship Sagar Nidhi at the Polymetallic Manganese Nodule (PMN) site at a depth of 5271 m in the allocated area of International Seabed Authority at Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).

Indian scientists have been developing and reviewing the submersible called Matsya 6000 for the last two years. Matsya 6000 submersible will undergo the first unmanned sea trials in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast in early 2024. The mission is expected to be realised by 2026.

M Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences said, “Samudrayaan mission is underway as part of the Deep Ocean Mission. We will be conducting sea trials at 500 metres depth in the first quarter of 2024.”

Objectives of Samudrayaan Mission

To study the deep-sea marine life, including its diversity, distribution, and ecology

To explore the distribution of polymetallic nodules, which are rich in minerals such as copper, nickel, and cobalt

To study the impact of climate change on the ocean, such as changes in temperature, acidity, and circulation

To develop India's capabilities in deep-sea exploration and research as well as develop underwater vehicles and underwater robotics

To develop offshore-based desalination techniques, renewable energy generation techniques, and provide clean drinking water and explore the avenues of desalination of water

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Human Spaceflight Tests, Deep Ocean Exploration: 2024 Packed Year For Indian Science

NEW DELHI: After the momentous landing on the moon's south pole, India has now set its sights on more challenging missions -- sending humans to space and getting samples from the lunar surface back to earth. Test flights for both the projects are scheduled in the new year. For Indian scientists it is just not about the moon and beyond. Furthering deep ocean exploration, the country is scheduled to send aquanauts on board the "Samudrayaan", first to a depth of 500 metres in March, and later, achieve its targeted depth of up to 6,000 metres.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to begin the new year with the launch of XPoSat.

The X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) will seek to unravel the mysteries of the sources of X-Rays and study the enigmatic world of black holes. The satellite is set for launch on January 1 on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota.

After a successful moon landing, India gears up for ambitious space endeavours in 2024, including human spaceflight and lunar sample return missions. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans the launch of XPoSat to study X-rays and black holes. NISAR, a USD 1.2 billion collaboration with NASA, aims to study climate change.

This would be followed by the insertion of the Aditya L-1 satellite at the Lagrange Point-1 on January 6 at 4 pm from where it will have an uninterrupted view of the sun, its object of study for the next five years.

The new year will also see the launch of the NISAR satellite, a USD 1.2 billion joint project by NASA and ISRO. It will be the most expensive earth imaging satellite ever made to study climate change.

The year gone by was an exciting one for science in India with the highpoint being the launch of the "Chandrayaan-3" mission on July 14 and its soft-landing near the south pole of the moon on August 23.

The Vikram lander module of the mission also delivered a rover "Pragyaan" on the lunar surface that roamed around for a few metres, clicked pictures of the moon and scooped lunar soil "regolith" to study its properties.

ISRO also sprung a surprise by making the Vikram lander hop and touch-down a little away from its position, a demonstration of the ability of the spacecraft to take off from the moon's surface. Another surprise was to bring the propulsion module, that was orbiting the moon, back to the earth's orbit, providing a sneak peek into the possibilities of bringing back moon rocks to the earth.

The new year will witness two unmanned missions under the "Gaganyaan" project to validate the human-rated launch vehicle and the orbital module in actual flight.

In addition, multiple sub-orbital missions using a test vehicle are planned to validate the Gaganyaan Crew Escape System under various abort conditions, as ISRO eyes for a 2025 time slot to send an Indian to space in an Indian capsule.

The space agency, through its commercial arm NewSpace India Limited, also put 72 satellites of OneWeb, the Bharti Enterprises-backed satellite internet provider, into low-earth orbit on two separate missions of Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-3), which was used for commercial launches for the first time.

The first mission to put 36 satellites in orbit was on October 23, 2022, and followed up by a similar mission on March 26.

The private space sector too is eyeing its first commercial launch in 2024 with Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos getting ready their home-built launch vehicle to put small satellites in low earth orbits.

"For the launch of Vikram-1, we are targeting the first half of 2024. The year 2024 will be a milestone year for us as we leap ahead to orbital launch capabilities which is critical for commercialisation of our launch services," Skyroot Aerospace co-founder Pawan Kumar Chandana told PTI.

Agnikul Cosmos, the IIT-Madras incubated space start-up, is also set to carry out a test flight of its 3D-printed "Agnibaan" rocket in the new year.

Bangalore-based Pixxel, which has made a name for itself in hyper-spectral imaging satellites, has plans to put in place a constellation of 24 satellites by 2025. The first six Fireflies satellites are scheduled for launch in 2024 and 18 in 2025.

The government also approved proposals for India's participation in big science projects such as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) at a cost of Rs 2,600 crore and the Indo-US collaborative Fermilab initiative (Rs 900 crore).

The LIGO project consists of two large interferometers, each about 4-km long, arranged in an 'L' shape that causes two light waves to intersect each other, resulting in an interference pattern.

The L-shaped arrangement behaves like a high-precision antenna that detects gravitational waves, which are extremely faint.

The project, being built at Hingoli in Maharashtra, will complement two LIGO setups in Louisiana and Washington.

The government also approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) with a target to scale-up scientific and industrial research and development for quantum technologies, at an estimated cost of over ₹6,000 crore in the next eight years.

India also announced plans to build another research station "Maitri-II" in Antarctica, where it operates a permanent research facility "Bharati".

The new "Maitri-II" research station, about 6,000 km away from "Bharati", is expected to start operations in 2029.

India also flagged off its maiden winter expedition to the Arctic as it aims to maintain round-the-year presence at the Himadri research station in the Svalbard region of Norway.

The year gone by also witnessed two sudden developments -- shifting of Kiren Rijiju from the Law Ministry to Earth Sciences and the abrupt resignation of Department of Science and Technology Secretary Srivari Chandrasekhar.

In 2023, the Department of Science and Technology also distance itself from the 109th edition of the Indian Science Congress organised by the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) which dragged the government to court alleging interference in functioning.

As a result, the Indian Science Congress, which is usually inaugurated by the prime minister on January 3 every year, has been put on hold.

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