147

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

submitted 1 year ago by OmnipotentEntity@beehaw.org to c/news@beehaw.org

101 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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.”

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] bob@lemmy.havocperil.uk 20 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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.

[-] jellyfish@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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

[-] Birdcatname@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

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

load more comments (2 replies)

this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2023

147 points (100.0% liked)

World News

22057 readers

42 users here now

Breaking news from around the world.

News that is American but has an international facet may also be posted here.

Guidelines for submissions:

Where possible, post the original source of information.
- If there is a paywall, you can use alternative sources or provide an archive.today, 12ft.io, etc. link in the body.
Do not editorialize titles. Preserve the original title when possible; edits for clarity are fine.
Do not post ragebait or shock stories. These will be removed.
Do not post tabloid or blogspam stories. These will be removed.
Social media should be a source of last resort.

These guidelines will be enforced on a know-it-when-I-see-it basis.

For US News, see the US News community.

This community's icon was made by Aaron Schneider, under the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS