Jiaolong to probe deep with new mother ship

China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong is scheduled to dive 7,000 meters into the Marianas Trench in the western Pacific Ocean, the world's deepest known natural trench, in July as part of the country's effort to make its mark in exploring the mysteries of that dark world. Ding Zhongjun, deputy chief engineer at the Ministry of Natural Resources' National Deep Sea Center, told Science and Technology Daily on Thursday that the July operation will be based aboard Jiaolong's new mother ship, Deep Sea 1, and will last 40 days with 10 dives. Zhang Fumin, Deep Sea 1's chief designer, from China State Shipbuilding Corp, said the ship is being built at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in Wuhan, Hubei province. The vessel will feature better technological and scientific capabilities than the four other dedicated submersible mother ships around the globe, the designer said, explaining that it will extensively boost Jiaolong's operational capability.