Samudrayaan Submersible Sea Trials Delayed to 2025

Samudrayaan Submersible Trials Delayed; Buoyancy Components Await Certification

India’s first manned deep-ocean expedition — Samudrayaan — has experienced a schedule setback due to delayed delivery of syntactic foam, a crucial buoyancy material manufactured abroad. The delay means that NIOT will now push the next phase of underwater tests into mid-2025, slowing progress toward India’s goal of sending a three-member crew 6,000 metres below sea level.

Mission Objective & Deep-Sea Capability Target

Samudrayaan aims to place India among the select few nations capable of human-operated extreme-depth exploration. The mission falls under the Deep Ocean Mission , pursuing seabed mineral mapping, biodiversity study, and environmental assessment. At the centre of the craft is a titanium sphere built to endure 600 times atmospheric pressure , enabling sample collection, geological surveys and high-resolution imaging at abyssal depths.

Testing Delayed Pending Buoyancy Installation

NIOT has already constructed a steel test replica to mimic the operational vehicle. This simulator cleared early tests at 100 m, and a planned 500-m descent — originally slated for December 2024 — is now deferred. Engineers must first install syntactic foam panels, currently undergoing quality testing in Norway, before proceeding to the next phase. Once certified and shipped, installation is expected to enable trial dives by April 2025 , after which the final titanium hull will undergo qualification.

Syntactic Foam & Titanium Shell Trial Roadmap

The foam’s micro-balloon composition allows buoyancy even under crushing pressures, making it indispensable for surfacing. Following the steel-hull trial, the titanium capsule is scheduled for pressure-testing in Russia , while ISRO continues fabrication of two full-scale spheres.

Exam-Oriented Key Points

• India’s first human submersible Samudrayaan targets 6,000 m depth

• Delay due to pending delivery of French-made syntactic foam

• Steel simulator trial postponed to April 2025 (500 m phase)

• Titanium hull to be pressure-tested in Russia