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🇰🇷 South Korea /Technology

Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology to develop manned submersible by 2030

From Hankyoreh · (4m ago) Korean Positive tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) is developing a small manned submersible capable of diving to 300 meters.
  • The submersible will accommodate up to three people and is intended for tasks like searching sunken vessels, where human judgment is crucial.
  • The project, supported by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, aims for deployment in actual sea areas by 2030.

South Korea is pushing the boundaries of underwater exploration with the development of a cutting-edge manned submersible, a project spearheaded by the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST). This ambitious endeavor, backed by a significant investment of 32.5 billion won, aims to create a vessel capable of descending to depths of 300 meters and carrying a crew of up to three individuals. The need for such a craft is driven by the limitations of current unmanned submersibles in domestic underwater surveys, particularly in tasks requiring precision and rapid decision-making.

KIOST highlights that while unmanned submersibles are primarily used for tasks like searching sunken ships, they suffer from communication delays and limited visual information, hindering intricate operations and responses to unexpected situations. The institute emphasizes that underwater rescue operations, where split-second judgments are critical, necessitate the immediate, on-site assessment capabilities that only human operators can provide. The new manned submersible will integrate advanced sensor data with human cognitive abilities, enabling swift and precise responses even in unpredictable underwater environments.

The manned submersible is a national strategic platform that expands the realm of human activity to the sea.

— Shin Chang-juThe research lead for marine information and communication technology and mobility at KIOST described the strategic importance of the manned submersible.

Safety is paramount in this high-stakes development. The submersible's pressure hull is engineered to withstand extreme hydrostatic pressure, exceeding international certification standards through rigorous structural analysis. Furthermore, it will feature an ejection system designed to separate the pressure hull itself and allow it to surface in emergencies, ensuring the safety of the occupants. A real-time monitoring system will also be integrated to automatically detect any minute deformations in the pressure hull or anomalies within internal systems. This project, supported by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, is slated for performance testing and actual sea deployment by 2030, marking a significant step in expanding South Korea's national capabilities in marine science and technology.

Success in developing the 'manned system,' which is the most difficult, could elevate our nation's status.

— Shin Chang-juThe research lead for marine information and communication technology and mobility at KIOST expressed confidence that the successful development of the manned submersible would enhance South Korea's national standing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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