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The MIR Submsersibles: Starting a New Life and Awaiting Future Adventures and Discoveries
In 2004, the overhaul of the MIR-1 and MIR-2 manned submersibles was conducted. Full disassembly of the vehicles, testing of the spheres in a high-pressure chamber, repair and improvements to the construction and systems, substitution of equipment for more modern versions and assembly of the submersibles was all completed between January 2004 and September 2004. The overhaul was completed in time for sea trials. The MIR submersibles were starting a new life, awaiting future adventures and new discoveries.
In December 1987, the MIR-1 and MIR-2 completed successful dives at 6,170 and 6,120 meters' depth, respectively, from aboard the RV Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. This was the first time in history that experimental submersibles were able to conduct dives at such great depths. These test dives completed the process of design and construction of the MIR submersibles, a process which took two and half years, from May 1985 to November 1987.
In two 1988 expeditions, the MIRs showed high reliability, and opened new possibilities and prospects for fundamental research (such as professional filming), searching and observations of wrecks and other operations.
During the next 16 years, many successful international projects were completed with the use of the MIRs. Key design features, which drew the attention of scientists and underwater experts from different countries, were the use of two vehicles from aboard one ship, the high power of the batteries, a large central view port, fast underwater speeds, relatively small dimensions and high maneuverability underwater.
Thirty-three expeditions were conducted with the MIRs exploring over 20 sites with hydrothermal vents on the seafloor. Wrecks such as the Titanic, Bismarck and the Japanese military submarine of World war II, 1-52, were observed and filmed.
Special research was also conducted on the Russian nuclear submarine wrecks of Komsomolets and Kursk. Many new deep-ocean technology ideas were implemented during those projects.
Technical Innovations
In May 1989, the first rendezvous of the two MIRs occurred at 5,000 meters' depth in the Atlantic Ocean. International teams were placed in both vehicles, including the author of this article, Emory Kristof and Joe Mclnnis in MIR-1, and Evgeny Chernjaev, Ralph White and Dmitry Vasiljev in MIR-2.
The interaction of the two MIRs...