Jiaolong (submersible)

Jiaolong (simplified Chinese: 蛟龙号; traditional Chinese: 蛟龍號; pinyin: jiāolóng hào flood dragon) is a Chinese manned deep-sea research submersible that can dive to a depth of over 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). It has the second-greatest depth range of any manned research vehicle in the world; the only manned expeditions to have gone deeper were the dives of the Trieste bathyscaphe (10,916 metres (35,814 ft)) in 1960, Archimède (9,560 metres (31,360 ft)) in 1962, Deepsea Challenger (10,898 metres (35,755 ft)) in 2012, DSV Limiting Factor (10,925 metres (35,843 ft)) in 2019 (with three diving to Challenger Deep).

For the aquatic dragon in Chinese mythology, see Jiaolong.

A small model of Jiaolong submersible
History
China
Name:	Jiaolong
In service:	2010
General characteristics
Type:	Deep-submergence vehicle
Tonnage:	22
Length:	8 m (26 ft)
Beam:	3 m (9.8 ft)
Installed power:	electric motor
Test depth:	7,500 m (24,600 ft)
Complement:	3

The general designer is Xu Qinan (徐芑南), a former professor at the School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering (船舶与海洋工程学院) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), who also designed many other Chinese submersibles and unmanned underwater vehicles. Xu is now an academician for the Chinese Academy of Engineering. The first deputy general designer is Cui Weicheng (崔维成), and the deputy general designer was Zhu Weiqing (朱维庆).

On June 27, 2012, the Jiaolong with two oceanauts reached a depth of 7,062 meters (23,169 feet) in the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean.[1] Previously, on June 19, 2012, the Jiaolong reached a depth of 6,965 metres (22,851 feet).[2] It had its first test in South China Sea between May 31 and July 18, 2010, reaching a depth of 3,759 metres (12,333 ft) with three crew.[3] On July 22, 2011, Jiaolong reached a depth of 4,027 metres (13,212 ft) in northeastern Pacific. The five-hour mission included chemical, physical and biological research. Seventeen dives have been completed.[4][5]

Besides China, other countries that have developed deep-water technology include the United States, France, Russia and Japan.[6][7]

See also

• Deep-submergence vehicle – Deep-diving manned submarine that is self-propelled
• DSV Shinkai 6500 – Japanese manned research submersible that can dive up to a depth of 6,500 metres
• Nereus (underwater vehicle) – Hybrid remotely operated or autonomous underwater vehicle

References

1. "China submersible breaks 7,000-metre mark".
2. "Jiaolong dives to 6,965m". Chinadaily. 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
3. "Jiaolong submersible to attempt 5,000m manned dive". www.wantchinatimes.com. 2011-05-21. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
4. "China's deep-sea sub resurfaces". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
5. "Jiaolong set for deepest mission - Shanghai Daily | 上海日报 - English Window to China New". Shanghai Daily. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
6. "China successfully completes trial run on deep water submersible". www.china.org.cn. 2010-08-28. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
7. "Chinese submersible reaches northeastern Pacific Ocean to conduct diving test". News.xinhuanet.com. 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-11-18.