(Photo: Xinhua)
China’s unmanned submersible Qianlong III, with a Nemo-like resemblance, completed its first dive into the ocean from the Chinese research vessel Dayang Yihao (Ocean No. 1) on Friday.
Qianlong III, currently the country’s most advanced submersible, dived to a maximum depth of 3,955 meters and traveled 24.8 km from 4:46 a.m. to 3:53 p.m. BJT, successfully meeting the test targets.
The main mission of this dive was to test the submersible’s basic performance skills, like the speed of the submersible’s unpowered diving and surfacing, as well as other functions such as the detection sensors.
China's unmanned submersible Qianlong III is retrieved from its first dive into the sea. (Photo: Xinhua)
Liu Jian, the chief designer of Qianlong III, has expressed his satisfaction with this dive, saying it achieved the anticipated target.
The next dive will verify the submersible’s maximum endurance, said Liu.