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

submitted 2 years ago by OmnipotentEntity@beehaw.org to c/news@beehaw.org

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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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[–] bob@lemmy.havocperil.uk 16 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years 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.

[–] Givesomefucks@reddthat.com 10 points 2 years 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.

[–] jellyfish@beehaw.org 8 points 2 years 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 for the Titan though, it was a specialty one-off design without much public detail about it's design.

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

[–] Birdcatname@beehaw.org 4 points 2 years ago

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

[–] androogee@midwest.social 5 points 2 years ago

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