Exciting news from the depths of the ocean! 🌊 China’s impressive deep-sea heavy-duty mining vehicle, Pioneer II, has just set a new record by reaching a jaw-dropping 4,102.8 meters below the surface. This milestone marks a significant leap in China’s quest to explore and develop deep-sea mineral resources.
Developed independently by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), Pioneer II successfully completed five daring dives in the western Pacific Ocean from June 22 to 26. Each day, the vehicle dove deeper, showcasing its remarkable resilience and advanced technology. The highlight? A record-breaking dive to over 4,000 meters, making it the first Chinese deep-sea mining vehicle to operate at such extraordinary depths.
During these missions, Pioneer II didn’t just dive deep—it also harvested over 200 kilograms of various valuable deep-sea mineral samples. 🏆 These samples are crucial for advancing our understanding of underwater resources and pushing the boundaries of marine technology.
Yang Jianmin, chair professor at SJTU and the chief scientist behind Pioneer II, expressed his excitement about the breakthrough. “This achievement demonstrates our commitment to innovating and leading in deep-sea exploration. It opens up new possibilities for sustainable mineral extraction and scientific discovery,” he said.
With Pioneer II’s success, China is set to make even greater strides in deep-sea mining, potentially unlocking resources that could benefit various industries worldwide. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking journey beneath the waves! 🌐✨
Reference(s):
4,102.8 meters: China's deep-sea mining vehicle reaches record depth
cgtn.com