Setback for submersible
Source: Xinhua |
July 23, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA postponed a 5,000-meter test dive of the manned submersible Jiaolong yesterday morning due to unfavorable sea conditions in the Pacific Ocean, according to the State Oceanic Administration.
Strong winds and high waves forced the SOA to call off the test for the time being, said Liu Feng, the mission's commander-in-chief.
The submersible was scheduled to dive to a depth of 5,000 meters.
"The weather conditions worsened faster than we expected ... To ensure safety we had to cancel the test," Liu said.
Waves up to 3 meters high are forecast this weekend but conditions are expected to improve on Monday, said Liu, adding that the SOA work team was still waiting for a suitable time for the dive.
Jiaolong dived to a depth of 4,027 meters with three people aboard on Thursday in an international area of the eastern Pacific Ocean.
According to the SOA, the submersible was found to have "a few malfunctions" upon resurfacing, but it's now in good condition after "all-out repair efforts."
The submersible completed 17 dives in the South China Sea between May 31 and July 18 last year, reaching 3,759 meters during its deepest dive.
Strong winds and high waves forced the SOA to call off the test for the time being, said Liu Feng, the mission's commander-in-chief.
The submersible was scheduled to dive to a depth of 5,000 meters.
"The weather conditions worsened faster than we expected ... To ensure safety we had to cancel the test," Liu said.
Waves up to 3 meters high are forecast this weekend but conditions are expected to improve on Monday, said Liu, adding that the SOA work team was still waiting for a suitable time for the dive.
Jiaolong dived to a depth of 4,027 meters with three people aboard on Thursday in an international area of the eastern Pacific Ocean.
According to the SOA, the submersible was found to have "a few malfunctions" upon resurfacing, but it's now in good condition after "all-out repair efforts."
The submersible completed 17 dives in the South China Sea between May 31 and July 18 last year, reaching 3,759 meters during its deepest dive.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
