Why is it in the news?

• The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is an initiative by India to explore the depths of the ocean up to 6,000 meters using an indigenously developed submersible.
• It is launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) with an aim to enhance understanding, harness resources, and develop deep-sea technologies.
• Approved in 2021 with a cost of Rs 4,077 crore over five years in phases.

Six Pillars of DOM

• Technologies for deep-sea mining and a manned submersible for 6,000-meter depth journeys.
• Ocean climate change advisory services for future climate projections.
• Innovations for deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservation.
• Deep-ocean survey for multi-metal hydrothermal sulphides mineralisation sites.
• Energy and freshwater harnessing from the ocean.
• Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology establishment.

Samudrayaan Mission

• Part of DOM, initiated in 2021 by MoES.
• A crewed expedition to 6,000 m depth in the ocean bed of central Indian Ocean using Matsya6000.

Matsya6000

• India’s flagship deep-ocean human submersible aiming for 6,000 m depth.
• Accommodates three “aquanauts” and equipped with scientific tools.
• Combines features of remote operated vehicles (ROVs)and autonomous remote vehicles (AUVs).
• Interior designed for three humans inside a 2.1 m diameter sphere.
• Sphere made from titanium alloy to withstand up to 6,000 bar pressure.
• Moves at a speed of 5.5 km/hr using underwater thrusters.