China's Deep Sea Ambition, Technology, Expeditions: News & Updates
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China developing manned submersible capable of reaching the bottom of any ocean
Vessel is being built by company that developed the Jiaolong, which took a crew two-thirds the way down the Mariana Trench is 2012
PUBLISHED : Monday, 23 January, 2017, 6:28pm
UPDATED : Monday, 23 January, 2017, 6:28pm
China is developing a manned submersible capable of taking a crew to bottom of any ocean on earth, according to the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), the maker of China’s first manned deep-sea submersible, Jiaolong, Science and Technology Daily reported.
If successful, it will mark another big step forward for China in its quest for undersea resource exploration, further catching up with comparable US technology.
The Jiaolong set a Chinese record in June 2012 by reaching a depth of 7,062 metres in the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench – the deepest known point on earth, allowing the vessel to conduct research and exploration on 99.8 per cent of the world’s seafloors.
Rush for resources drives China’s ‘three-deep’ science quest
Shao Kaiwen, CSIC’S deputy general manager, said his company had a slew of deep-sea equipment projects on its books, including manned submersibles capable reaching all sea floors.
Other projects to be developed this year include a manned submersible that can reach a depth of 4,500 metres and is in its final assembly and testing stage.
This submersible will have five observatory windows that let scientists observe the surroundings from different angles. Its manned cabin has three seats, like the Jiaolong, with additional space for the other crew.
How it works: Inside the Jiaolong
Meanwhile, a subsidiary of CSIC is building a mothership, with a displacement of about 4,000 tonnes, for Jiaolong, that is expected to enter service in March 2019.
China has made huge progress in deep-sea technology, driven by its hunger for resources.
To secure supplies of resources, the Ministry of Land and Resources vowed in a strategic plan released in September to boost “deep-underground, deep-sky and deep-sea” capabilities in the next five years.
The plan’s tasks include developing a submersible that technically could survive the staggering pressures found at 11,000 metres – the depth of the Challenger Deep at the bottom of the Mariana Trench – by 2020.
China’s deep-sea mission to mine the wealth beneath the ocean floor
The Jiaolong, carrying three crew, carried out its mission on June 19, 2012 and returned with samples of water and sea life.
Besides China, only the United States, France, Russia and Japan have produced manned submersibles capable of reaching depths of 6,000 metres.
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/dipl...eveloping-manned-submersible-capable-reaching
Vessel is being built by company that developed the Jiaolong, which took a crew two-thirds the way down the Mariana Trench is 2012
PUBLISHED : Monday, 23 January, 2017, 6:28pm
UPDATED : Monday, 23 January, 2017, 6:28pm
China is developing a manned submersible capable of taking a crew to bottom of any ocean on earth, according to the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), the maker of China’s first manned deep-sea submersible, Jiaolong, Science and Technology Daily reported.
If successful, it will mark another big step forward for China in its quest for undersea resource exploration, further catching up with comparable US technology.
The Jiaolong set a Chinese record in June 2012 by reaching a depth of 7,062 metres in the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench – the deepest known point on earth, allowing the vessel to conduct research and exploration on 99.8 per cent of the world’s seafloors.
Rush for resources drives China’s ‘three-deep’ science quest
Shao Kaiwen, CSIC’S deputy general manager, said his company had a slew of deep-sea equipment projects on its books, including manned submersibles capable reaching all sea floors.
Other projects to be developed this year include a manned submersible that can reach a depth of 4,500 metres and is in its final assembly and testing stage.
This submersible will have five observatory windows that let scientists observe the surroundings from different angles. Its manned cabin has three seats, like the Jiaolong, with additional space for the other crew.
How it works: Inside the Jiaolong
Meanwhile, a subsidiary of CSIC is building a mothership, with a displacement of about 4,000 tonnes, for Jiaolong, that is expected to enter service in March 2019.
China has made huge progress in deep-sea technology, driven by its hunger for resources.
To secure supplies of resources, the Ministry of Land and Resources vowed in a strategic plan released in September to boost “deep-underground, deep-sky and deep-sea” capabilities in the next five years.
The plan’s tasks include developing a submersible that technically could survive the staggering pressures found at 11,000 metres – the depth of the Challenger Deep at the bottom of the Mariana Trench – by 2020.
China’s deep-sea mission to mine the wealth beneath the ocean floor
The Jiaolong, carrying three crew, carried out its mission on June 19, 2012 and returned with samples of water and sea life.
Besides China, only the United States, France, Russia and Japan have produced manned submersibles capable of reaching depths of 6,000 metres.
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/dipl...eveloping-manned-submersible-capable-reaching
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Jiaolong starts four-month scientific expedition to NW Indian Ocean
(Xinhua) 20:42, February 06, 2017
Jiaolong on Monday started a four-month scientific expedition to the northwest Indian Ocean, the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench.
Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, sets sail from its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
Scientific researchers go aboard Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, at its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
Scientific researchers aboard Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, at its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, sets sail from its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, sets sail from its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. Jiaolong on Monday started a four-month scientific expedition to the northwest Indian Ocean, the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, sets sail from its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. Jiaolong on Monday started a four-month scientific expedition to the northwest Indian Ocean, the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
(Xinhua) 20:42, February 06, 2017
Jiaolong on Monday started a four-month scientific expedition to the northwest Indian Ocean, the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench.
Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, sets sail from its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
Scientific researchers go aboard Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, at its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
Scientific researchers aboard Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, at its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, sets sail from its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, sets sail from its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. Jiaolong on Monday started a four-month scientific expedition to the northwest Indian Ocean, the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
Xiangyanghong 09, carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, sets sail from its home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 6, 2017. Jiaolong on Monday started a four-month scientific expedition to the northwest Indian Ocean, the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench. (Xinhua/Zhang Xudong)
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Deep-sea manned submersible starts record-breaking 124-day expedition
2017-02-07 09:30 China Daily Editor: Li Yan
Left to right: Submersibles Qianlong 01, Hailong 02 and Jiaolong settle in the China National Deep Sea Center in Qingdao, Shandong province. (Photo/China Daily)
China's deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong departed its home port of Qingdao, Shandong province, on Monday to start its longest mission to date－a 124-day expedition.
Carried by its mother ship, Xiangyanghong 09, the submersible is scheduled to explore the northwest Indian Ocean polymetallic sulfides zone, the South China Sea, the Yap Trench and Mariana Trench in the Western Pacific during China's 38th oceanic exploration mission, set to conclude on June 9.
Organized by the Qingdao-based National Deep Sea Center, the mission will be carried out by more than 150 researchers from about 20 scientific research institutions nationwide.
"The expedition will cover the widest range of investigation area with diversified tasks. Jiaolong will dive 31 times, including seven times below 6,000 meters," said Yu Hongjun, director of the National Deep Sea Center.
The submersible holds China's manned diving record, reaching a depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.
According to the mission plan, Jiaolong will perform a task in the northwest Indian Ocean polymetallic sulfides zone for the first time.
Covering an area of 26 hectares of land and 63 hectares of sea, the China National Deep Sea Center is a supportive station for deep sea facilities. There are only five of its kind in the world. The submersible Jiaolong moved to the center in March 2015.
Also on Monday, China's other two powerful submersibles, Hailong 02 and Qianlong 01, also officially settled at the center. Hailong 02 is a remote operated vehicle that can dive to 3,500 meters with high-definition cameras, while Qianlong 01 can dive up to 6,000 meters.
"For a long time, Hailong 02 and Qianlong 01 operated separately, to the disadvantage of Chinese deep-sea exploration. Therefore, the China National Deep Sea Center will become a shared platform to bring deep-sea facilities together to enhance effective management and operation of those facilities," said Li Bo, an official with the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association.
2017-02-07 09:30 China Daily Editor: Li Yan
Left to right: Submersibles Qianlong 01, Hailong 02 and Jiaolong settle in the China National Deep Sea Center in Qingdao, Shandong province. (Photo/China Daily)
China's deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong departed its home port of Qingdao, Shandong province, on Monday to start its longest mission to date－a 124-day expedition.
Carried by its mother ship, Xiangyanghong 09, the submersible is scheduled to explore the northwest Indian Ocean polymetallic sulfides zone, the South China Sea, the Yap Trench and Mariana Trench in the Western Pacific during China's 38th oceanic exploration mission, set to conclude on June 9.
Organized by the Qingdao-based National Deep Sea Center, the mission will be carried out by more than 150 researchers from about 20 scientific research institutions nationwide.
"The expedition will cover the widest range of investigation area with diversified tasks. Jiaolong will dive 31 times, including seven times below 6,000 meters," said Yu Hongjun, director of the National Deep Sea Center.
The submersible holds China's manned diving record, reaching a depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.
According to the mission plan, Jiaolong will perform a task in the northwest Indian Ocean polymetallic sulfides zone for the first time.
Covering an area of 26 hectares of land and 63 hectares of sea, the China National Deep Sea Center is a supportive station for deep sea facilities. There are only five of its kind in the world. The submersible Jiaolong moved to the center in March 2015.
Also on Monday, China's other two powerful submersibles, Hailong 02 and Qianlong 01, also officially settled at the center. Hailong 02 is a remote operated vehicle that can dive to 3,500 meters with high-definition cameras, while Qianlong 01 can dive up to 6,000 meters.
"For a long time, Hailong 02 and Qianlong 01 operated separately, to the disadvantage of Chinese deep-sea exploration. Therefore, the China National Deep Sea Center will become a shared platform to bring deep-sea facilities together to enhance effective management and operation of those facilities," said Li Bo, an official with the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association.
TaiShang
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China deep-sea submersible probes northwestern Indian Ocean
(Xinhua) 08:11, March 02, 2017
Jiaolong, China's manned submersible, on Tuesday descended to 3,117 meters below sea level while operating in the northwestern Indian Ocean.
The operation marked the 38th ocean scientific expedition by a Chinese team, and Jiaolong's first deep-sea exploration of the year.
Yu Hongjun, field commander of the mission, said the expedition fully tested the system, and collected a variety of samples including 4.2 kg of sulfide, 18.7 kg of basalt and 16 liters of deep-sea water.
Han Xiqiu, one of the scientists on the expedition, said future dives will evaluate the resource potential of the area.
During the 124-day voyage, the Jiaolong submersible will also explore the South China Seaand Yap Trench.
Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong reached its deepest depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.
(Xinhua) 08:11, March 02, 2017
Jiaolong, China's manned submersible, on Tuesday descended to 3,117 meters below sea level while operating in the northwestern Indian Ocean.
The operation marked the 38th ocean scientific expedition by a Chinese team, and Jiaolong's first deep-sea exploration of the year.
Yu Hongjun, field commander of the mission, said the expedition fully tested the system, and collected a variety of samples including 4.2 kg of sulfide, 18.7 kg of basalt and 16 liters of deep-sea water.
Han Xiqiu, one of the scientists on the expedition, said future dives will evaluate the resource potential of the area.
During the 124-day voyage, the Jiaolong submersible will also explore the South China Seaand Yap Trench.
Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong reached its deepest depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.
how about a search for MH370?
TaiShang
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I think that has already been brought to an end. Using this submersible to search for MH370 would be seeking a needle in a haystack. Success would be extremely low, especially after so many months and typhoons later in the Indian Ocean.
JSCh
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- Published on Mar 7, 2017
With great temperature difference between the seafloor and shore, researchers were reportedly seen taking warm clothing and high-calorie food with them during the diving that took about 10 hours.
Jiaolong is a Chinese manned deep-sea research submersible that has the greatest depth range of any manned research vehicle in the world.
TaiShang
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China makes progress in deep sea expedition
Xinhua, March 24, 2017
China made several breakthroughs in deep sea exploration as a team sailed 7,929 nautical miles to explore the trenches in the west Pacific Ocean, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) said Thursday.
The 68-day expedition made China the first to obtain 10,000-meter-deep artificial seismic profile data with a domestic ocean bottom seismograph, at the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the CAS said in a statement.
The team returned to Sanya in south China's Hainan Province Thursday.
The Challenger Deep at around 11,000 meters in the Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the ocean.
Haiyi, China's domestic underwater glider, reached a record depth of 6,329 meters in the Mariana Trench.
During the trip, submersible Haidou dived to over 10,000 meters five times. It reached the sea bottom at a depth of 10,886 meters, the first time China has conducted unmanned navigation and video transmission at over 10,000 meters.
The expedition team also sampled snailfish in the Yap Trench at a depth of 7,884 meters, the maximum depth where China has sampled fish.
Xinhua, March 24, 2017
China made several breakthroughs in deep sea exploration as a team sailed 7,929 nautical miles to explore the trenches in the west Pacific Ocean, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) said Thursday.
The 68-day expedition made China the first to obtain 10,000-meter-deep artificial seismic profile data with a domestic ocean bottom seismograph, at the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the CAS said in a statement.
The team returned to Sanya in south China's Hainan Province Thursday.
The Challenger Deep at around 11,000 meters in the Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the ocean.
Haiyi, China's domestic underwater glider, reached a record depth of 6,329 meters in the Mariana Trench.
During the trip, submersible Haidou dived to over 10,000 meters five times. It reached the sea bottom at a depth of 10,886 meters, the first time China has conducted unmanned navigation and video transmission at over 10,000 meters.
The expedition team also sampled snailfish in the Yap Trench at a depth of 7,884 meters, the maximum depth where China has sampled fish.
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Crew members check China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong in Sanya
2017-04-09 12:30 | Xinhua | Editor:Feng Shuang
Crew members check China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 8, 2017. The crew of China's 38th ocean scientific expedition returned to Sanya, Hainan Province, south China, Wednesday. The 59-day trip marks the conclusion of the first stage of a 124-day mission. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)
Crew members check China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 8, 2017. The crew of China's 38th ocean scientific expedition returned to Sanya, Hainan Province, south China, Wednesday. The 59-day trip marks the conclusion of the first stage of a 124-day mission. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)
"Xiangyanghong 09", carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, is seen in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 8, 2017. The crew of China's 38th ocean scientific expedition returned to Sanya, Hainan Province, south China, Wednesday. The 59-day trip marks the conclusion of the first stage of a 124-day mission. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)
2017-04-09 12:30 | Xinhua | Editor:Feng Shuang
Crew members check China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 8, 2017. The crew of China's 38th ocean scientific expedition returned to Sanya, Hainan Province, south China, Wednesday. The 59-day trip marks the conclusion of the first stage of a 124-day mission. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)
Crew members check China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 8, 2017. The crew of China's 38th ocean scientific expedition returned to Sanya, Hainan Province, south China, Wednesday. The 59-day trip marks the conclusion of the first stage of a 124-day mission. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)
"Xiangyanghong 09", carrier of China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, is seen in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 8, 2017. The crew of China's 38th ocean scientific expedition returned to Sanya, Hainan Province, south China, Wednesday. The 59-day trip marks the conclusion of the first stage of a 124-day mission. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)
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90% of China's new submersible manufactured domestically: experts
(People's Daily Online) 14:11, April 11, 2017
According to industry insiders, all the key parts of China’s new manned submersible were developed independently by Chinese scientists and manufactured domestically.
The new submersible is expected to dive as deep as 4,500 meters beneath the sea, and will be capable of carrying out scientific research on most of the earth's seabeds. It will have five observation windows, two more than its predecessor, Jiaolong, enabling a broader underwater view, according to Hu Zhen, the craft's chief designer.
In addition, developers of the new submersible replaced the traditional silver-zinc battery with a lithium-ion battery, which can be used for up to 500 charges, scientists disclosed. Maintenance of the new design is easier as well, which reduces the cost of each dive, said Ye Cong, deputy chief designer and quality engineer of the craft.
(People's Daily Online) 14:11, April 11, 2017
According to industry insiders, all the key parts of China’s new manned submersible were developed independently by Chinese scientists and manufactured domestically.
The new submersible is expected to dive as deep as 4,500 meters beneath the sea, and will be capable of carrying out scientific research on most of the earth's seabeds. It will have five observation windows, two more than its predecessor, Jiaolong, enabling a broader underwater view, according to Hu Zhen, the craft's chief designer.
In addition, developers of the new submersible replaced the traditional silver-zinc battery with a lithium-ion battery, which can be used for up to 500 charges, scientists disclosed. Maintenance of the new design is easier as well, which reduces the cost of each dive, said Ye Cong, deputy chief designer and quality engineer of the craft.
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Salvage robot reaches 3,000 meters underwater
New China TV
Published on Apr 11, 2017
An maritime salvage robot successfully dived to the depth of about 3,000 meters during a sea trial in the South China Sea. It marks a breakthrough in China's deep-sea salvage capacity.
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Chinese submersible Jiaolong tested ahead of South China Sea dive
(Xinhua) 08:20, April 24, 2017
Jiaolong (Xinhua/Gao Yue)
ONBOARD SHIP XIANGYANGHONG 09, April 23 -- Jiaolong, China's manned submersible, went through a dive simulation in Sanya, Hainan Province on Saturday to prepare for a deep descent in the South China Sea.
The submersible stayed underwater for 18 minutes in Saturday's drill before returning Xiangyanghong 09, the mother ship, completing tasks including underwater training for its crew.
Zhang Weijia, who participated, said she was very excited entering the submersible for the first time to learn about its facilities, practical operation and emergency escape.
Jiaolong's South China Sea dive is part of the second stage of China's 38th ocean scientific expedition. The expedition will last for about four months.
The drill was necessary for testing equipment and personnel, said Wu Changbin, general commander of the second stage of the expedition. Currently the Jiaolong's "technological status" is stable and the cooperation among various departments is smooth, Wu said.
Jiaolong completed a deep-sea operation in the northwestern Indian Ocean earlier this year in the mission's first stage. It will also conduct surveys in the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench in the third stage.
Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong reached its deepest depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.
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(Xinhua) 08:20, April 24, 2017
Jiaolong (Xinhua/Gao Yue)
ONBOARD SHIP XIANGYANGHONG 09, April 23 -- Jiaolong, China's manned submersible, went through a dive simulation in Sanya, Hainan Province on Saturday to prepare for a deep descent in the South China Sea.
The submersible stayed underwater for 18 minutes in Saturday's drill before returning Xiangyanghong 09, the mother ship, completing tasks including underwater training for its crew.
Zhang Weijia, who participated, said she was very excited entering the submersible for the first time to learn about its facilities, practical operation and emergency escape.
Jiaolong's South China Sea dive is part of the second stage of China's 38th ocean scientific expedition. The expedition will last for about four months.
The drill was necessary for testing equipment and personnel, said Wu Changbin, general commander of the second stage of the expedition. Currently the Jiaolong's "technological status" is stable and the cooperation among various departments is smooth, Wu said.
Jiaolong completed a deep-sea operation in the northwestern Indian Ocean earlier this year in the mission's first stage. It will also conduct surveys in the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench in the third stage.
Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong reached its deepest depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.
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JSCh
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China Focus: Chinese submersible Jiaolong conducts South China Sea dive
(Xinhua) 09:34, April 27, 2017
ON BOARD SHIP XIANGYANGHONG 09, April 26 -- Jiaolong, China's manned submersible, completed a dive Wednesday in the South China Sea.
Departing its mother ship Xiangyanghong 09 at around 7 a.m., Jiaolong stayed underwater for nine hours and twelve minutes for the dive before returning at around 4:19 p.m.
It managed to bring 16 liters of sea water samples collected near the seabed, eight sediment samples and two rock samples back to Xiangyanghong 09, in addition to high-definition photos and video footage shot during the mission.
Wednesday's dive marks the first dive by Jiaolong in the second stage of China's 38th ocean scientific expedition, which will last until May 13.
The maximum depth of the Jiaolong mission on Wednesday was 1,741 meters below sea level, and the submersible spent some seven hours on the seabed.
Three staff, including one seasoned crew member, Tang Jialing, and two interns, Liu Xiaohui and Yang Yifan, were on board the submersible.
"This is almost Jiaolong's longest underwater mission," said Tang.
In an interview with Xinhua prior to the drive, Yang Yaomin, chief scientist for the second stage expedition, said experts had planned to choose a site for experimenting with the collection of polymetallic nodules during the mission.
"We are working to avoid damaging the marine environment in mining," said Yang. "The expedition will help develop technology for environmentally friendly deep-sea mining."
Polymetallic nodules are mineral resources that are generally deposited more than 4,000 meters deep beneath the sea's surface and contain manganese, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt as well as rare earth elements.
During the expedition, manned deep-sea submergence was also conducted in the seamount chain and continental slope areas in the South China Sea, according to scientist Shi Xuefa.
"We plan to carry out geological and biological surveys in the region," said Shi. "The submersible will take photos of the distribution of polymetallic nodules, deep-sea life and seafloor terrain."
The rock samples collected from the seamount will be used in research in chronology, mineralogy and geochemistry on the South China Sea, advancing the study of the region's structural evolution, according to Shi.
The 38th oceanic scientific expedition started on Feb. 6. Jiaolong completed a dive in the northwestern Indian Ocean earlier this year in the mission's first stage. It will also conduct surveys in the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench in the third stage.
Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong reached its deepest depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.
(Xinhua) 09:34, April 27, 2017
ON BOARD SHIP XIANGYANGHONG 09, April 26 -- Jiaolong, China's manned submersible, completed a dive Wednesday in the South China Sea.
Departing its mother ship Xiangyanghong 09 at around 7 a.m., Jiaolong stayed underwater for nine hours and twelve minutes for the dive before returning at around 4:19 p.m.
It managed to bring 16 liters of sea water samples collected near the seabed, eight sediment samples and two rock samples back to Xiangyanghong 09, in addition to high-definition photos and video footage shot during the mission.
Wednesday's dive marks the first dive by Jiaolong in the second stage of China's 38th ocean scientific expedition, which will last until May 13.
The maximum depth of the Jiaolong mission on Wednesday was 1,741 meters below sea level, and the submersible spent some seven hours on the seabed.
Three staff, including one seasoned crew member, Tang Jialing, and two interns, Liu Xiaohui and Yang Yifan, were on board the submersible.
"This is almost Jiaolong's longest underwater mission," said Tang.
In an interview with Xinhua prior to the drive, Yang Yaomin, chief scientist for the second stage expedition, said experts had planned to choose a site for experimenting with the collection of polymetallic nodules during the mission.
"We are working to avoid damaging the marine environment in mining," said Yang. "The expedition will help develop technology for environmentally friendly deep-sea mining."
Polymetallic nodules are mineral resources that are generally deposited more than 4,000 meters deep beneath the sea's surface and contain manganese, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt as well as rare earth elements.
During the expedition, manned deep-sea submergence was also conducted in the seamount chain and continental slope areas in the South China Sea, according to scientist Shi Xuefa.
"We plan to carry out geological and biological surveys in the region," said Shi. "The submersible will take photos of the distribution of polymetallic nodules, deep-sea life and seafloor terrain."
The rock samples collected from the seamount will be used in research in chronology, mineralogy and geochemistry on the South China Sea, advancing the study of the region's structural evolution, according to Shi.
The 38th oceanic scientific expedition started on Feb. 6. Jiaolong completed a dive in the northwestern Indian Ocean earlier this year in the mission's first stage. It will also conduct surveys in the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench in the third stage.
Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong reached its deepest depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.
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Nation to begin building two new ships for 2019
By Zhao Lei | China Daily | Updated: 2017-05-04 07:03
Vessels will improve capabilities in gathering deep-sea information
China will soon begin building its first marine resources survey ship and its first mother ship for manned submersibles, according to the State Oceanic Administration.
Hu Xuedong, deputy director of the administration's Deep Sea Department who oversees China's ocean exploration programs, said at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday that the construction work on the two vessels will start before July.
The survey ship will be built at China State Shipbuilding Corp's Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The mother ship for manned submersibles will be made at China Shipbuilding Industry Corp's Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in Wuhan, Hubei province.
"The two ships will have world-class technological and operational capacity. They will be able to travel at least 6,000 nautical miles on each journey," Hu said. "Their service will extensively improve our capabilities in ocean surveying, deep-sea science and marine environmental protection."
The ships, which have yet to be named, will be commissioned in the first half of 2019, he said.
Currently, China Marine Research Vessels operates 17 long-range oceanographic research ships and 15 coastal water survey ships.
According to the State Oceanic Administration, the marine resources survey ship will be 98 meters long and 17 meters wide, and will have a displacement of 4,000 metric tons. It will have an advanced electric propulsion system.
The vessel will carry more than 70 kinds of scientific research equipment and will be capable of conducting highly accurate long-term surveys in a wide range of fields such as marine geology, marine ecology and ocean-atmosphere systems.
The mother ship, which will serve China's manned submersible Jiaolong, will also have a displacement of around 4,000 tons. It will support Jiaolong's operations and handle and analyze samples taken by the submersible, according to the administration.
Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong is China's first manned deep-sea research submersible. It reached its deepest depth－7,062 meters－in the Mariana Trench in June 2012. Currently, the Jiaolong is based on the Xiangyanghong 09, a survey vessel that has been in service since 1978. The new vessel will be the first dedicated mother ship for the submersible.
Hu said the mother ship will also assist the nation's effort to build a manned deep-sea station that the government plans to put into operation around 2030.
Cui Yiliang, editor-in-chief of industry magazine Modern Ships, said the two ships will be sophisticated in terms of technology and structure, so their construction will be a challenge to shipbuilders.
By Zhao Lei | China Daily | Updated: 2017-05-04 07:03
Vessels will improve capabilities in gathering deep-sea information
China will soon begin building its first marine resources survey ship and its first mother ship for manned submersibles, according to the State Oceanic Administration.
Hu Xuedong, deputy director of the administration's Deep Sea Department who oversees China's ocean exploration programs, said at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday that the construction work on the two vessels will start before July.
The survey ship will be built at China State Shipbuilding Corp's Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The mother ship for manned submersibles will be made at China Shipbuilding Industry Corp's Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in Wuhan, Hubei province.
"The two ships will have world-class technological and operational capacity. They will be able to travel at least 6,000 nautical miles on each journey," Hu said. "Their service will extensively improve our capabilities in ocean surveying, deep-sea science and marine environmental protection."
The ships, which have yet to be named, will be commissioned in the first half of 2019, he said.
Currently, China Marine Research Vessels operates 17 long-range oceanographic research ships and 15 coastal water survey ships.
According to the State Oceanic Administration, the marine resources survey ship will be 98 meters long and 17 meters wide, and will have a displacement of 4,000 metric tons. It will have an advanced electric propulsion system.
The vessel will carry more than 70 kinds of scientific research equipment and will be capable of conducting highly accurate long-term surveys in a wide range of fields such as marine geology, marine ecology and ocean-atmosphere systems.
The mother ship, which will serve China's manned submersible Jiaolong, will also have a displacement of around 4,000 tons. It will support Jiaolong's operations and handle and analyze samples taken by the submersible, according to the administration.
Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong is China's first manned deep-sea research submersible. It reached its deepest depth－7,062 meters－in the Mariana Trench in June 2012. Currently, the Jiaolong is based on the Xiangyanghong 09, a survey vessel that has been in service since 1978. The new vessel will be the first dedicated mother ship for the submersible.
Hu said the mother ship will also assist the nation's effort to build a manned deep-sea station that the government plans to put into operation around 2030.
Cui Yiliang, editor-in-chief of industry magazine Modern Ships, said the two ships will be sophisticated in terms of technology and structure, so their construction will be a challenge to shipbuilders.
