Striver (bathyscaphe)

Chinese deep submergence vehicle

Fendouzhe aboard its mother ship Tan Suo Yi Hao

History
PRC
Name| Striver
Awarded| CSSC
Completed| 2020
Status| Active
Class overview
Operators| Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering as part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences[1]
Preceded by| Deep Sea Warrior
General characteristics
Displacement| 36 long tons (37 t)
Endurance| 6 hours
Complement| 3

Striver (Fèndòuzhě; Chinese: 奋斗者) bathyscaphe is a type of deep-submergence vehicle built in the People's Republic of China (PRC). It was built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). It can accommodate three crew members, and is designed to reach depths of more than 10,000 meters. Striver is equipped with two mechanical arms, seven underwater cameras, seven sonars, hydraulic drills, and other scientific devices. On 10 November 2020, the bottom of the Challenger Deep was reached by Striver with three Chinese scientists (Zhang Wei, Zhao Yang, and Wang Zhiqiang) onboard whilst livestreaming the descent to a reported depth of 10,909 m (35,791 ft).[2][3]

In comparison to the earlier Deep Sea Warrior bathyscaphe Striver can dive more than twice as deep. In comparison to the ten-hour endurance of Deep Sea Warrior, Striver lasts for six hours.[4][5] Striver can dive and surface much faster,[6] and its crew compartment is built of titanium alloy Ti62A, specially developed for use on Striver.[7] It is equipped with cameras made by the Norwegian manufacturer Imenco.[8] The designer is Ye Cong.[6][9] The mechanical arms of Striver were developed by Shenyang Institute of Automation, and each is capable of handling 60 kg of weight.[10] The motherships of the Striver bathyscaphe are the same ones used for Deep Sea Warrior bathyscaphe: Chinese research vessel Explorer 1 (Tan-Suo 1, or 探索一号 in Chinese) and Explorer 2.

Her specifications are:[4][5]

* Weight: 36 ton
* Crew: 3
* Payload: 240 kg
* Endurance: 6 hours

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "China's latest manned submersible Fendouzhe delivered". global.chinadaily.com.cn. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
2. ^ "Chinese submarine reaches the deepest place on Earth". interestingengineering.com. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
3. ^ "Chinese Submersible "Fendouzhe" Descended to Earth's Deepest Oceanic Trench". sciencetimes.com. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
4. ^ a b "Struggler deep submergence vehicle" (in Simplified Chinese). October 6, 2021.
5. ^ a b "Struggler deep diving vehicle" (in Simplified Chinese). March 17, 2021.
6. ^ a b "Struggler deep submergence submersible" (in Simplified Chinese). November 16, 2021.
7. ^ "Struggler DSV" (in Simplified Chinese). January 12, 2021.
8. ^ "Imenco in the worlds deepest waters". imenco.no. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
9. ^ "Struggler bathyscaphe" (in Simplified Chinese). December 7, 2020.
10. ^ "Struggler" (in Simplified Chinese). January 12, 2021.