50th Anniversary of the Alvin Submersible

Overview

The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Alvin submersible, which has been in service since 1964.
Alvin is the only deep diving submersible in the United States.

The scientific community identified the need for increased capabilities.
The project involved a complete rebuild of the submarine, allowing scientists and engineers to collaborate on problem-solving to enable new scientific exploration.

The sub was disassembled and reassembled, with most components being new, particularly the major components like the sphere.

Highest risk aspect: forging the titanium sphere capable of withstanding pressures at 6,500 meters.
Requirements included being as close to perfectly spherical as possible.
The sphere was forged into two hemispheres in Wisconsin and welded in California using electron beam welding, which was a first for three-inch thick titanium.

Viewports:
- Increased number of viewports, allowing scientists and the pilot to have windows with overlapping fields of view.
- Larger viewports enhance visibility of the ocean environment.
Experience During Dives:
- When Alvin descends, it is quiet and dark, creating a humbling experience of exploring the vast ocean and its mysteries.
Manipulator Arms:
- New hinged brackets allow arms to fold out of the way of viewports while maintaining the ability to extend forward.
- Improved reach compared to previous designs, likened to a T-Rex at a refrigerator.

Alvin's investigation of the Titanic in 1986 gained significant public attention, contributing to the vessel's fame.

The future direction of deep diving subs is uncertain, but firsthand exploration of the environment is invaluable.
Other nations like Japan, Russia, China, India, and France are developing their own submersibles, creating a "deep sea arms race" that is advancing technology in human-occupied vehicles.
This competition is enhancing the sophistication and capabilities of these subs for scientific research.