India is set to conduct the first harbor wet test of the Samudrayaan mission at Chennai harbor in the last week of December 2024. The test will assess the performance of the Matsya-6000 submersible at a depth of 15 meters, marking a key step towards deep-sea exploration.

• The wet test will evaluate the submersible’s performance under real underwater conditions.

• Matsya-6000 can dive to depths of 6,000 meters.

• The test will be conducted at Chennai harbor, at a depth of 15 meters.

• Successful completion of the test is critical for further mission stages.

• A shallow water test is planned for 2025, and unmanned deep-sea tests will follow in 2026.

• The Samudrayaan mission, with a budget of ₹4,077 crore, aims to explore oceanic resources.

• The mission will involve a three-member crew, including a retired Navy submariner.

• Crew selection is underway, with training at the Institute of Naval Medicine.

• Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology, emphasized the mission’s benefits for scientific advancement and ocean literacy.

The mission is expected to boost underwater engineering innovations and help explore rare minerals like nickel and cobalt.