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Missing Titan submersible is operated by a cheap game controller (videogames.si.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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the Logitech F710 is a solid controller to get if you’re on a tight budget, but perhaps not exactly the type of equipment you want to stake your life on. [...] Reviewers on sites like Amazon frequently mention issues with the wireless device's connection.

The reporter, who followed an expedition of the Titan from the launch ship, wrote that “it seems like this submersible has elements of MacGyver jerry-riggedness.”

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

There's nothing wrong with using a game controller to steer the thing, I think the issue is more the lack of backup or failsafes.

Also, I'm very much a layperson in this field, but would it have not made sense to tether this thing to a ship on the surface? They could have kept in contact with the surface via the tether and had them reel the thing back in if there were problems with its propulsion or steering.

I saw the video of its interior. As someone who has claustrophobia, it's absolute nightmare fuel. It's a cylinder about 15 feet long and maybe 6 feet wide that you can't even stand up in. It's going to be very unpleasant for 5 people.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

Also, there's no way to open it from the inside, they're bolted in.

So even if they surfaced, they'll still run out of air if they're not found soon.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I very much doubt that such a tether would be physically possible at the depths they were diving to.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I agree completely with the controller, it doesn't really matter what is used to steer the ship, just that it has fail-safes.

I don't think resurfacing is the most important part here. Bathyscaphes are normally designed to jettison iron or steel ballasts attached by electromagnet, which allows them to surface due to their natural buoyancy. It's impossible to say if that's how the Titan works though, there isn't a lot of detail available publicly about its design.

This is a really interesting video to get a take from an experienced submariner that I found really informative - https://youtu.be/4dka29FSZac

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing that video link. It was very insightful.