Expedition to Komsomolets
On 7 April, 1989, after thirty-nine days at sea, the Soviet nuclear sub Komsomolets sank in the Barents Sea off the coast of Norway. Forty-two officers in the Soviet navy perished, while most of the officers who did survive escaped with serious injuries. The Komsomolets was unique among submarines in the Soviet navy. It was a 6400 ton forerunner of a new class of nuclear submarines. It was able to dive deeper than its predecessors and the advanced nuclear reactor propelled it to speeds faster than any other submarine. The submarine Komsomolets was built as an experimental vessel, and was the only one of its class to enter service.
This footage is filmed on the location of Komosomolets accident, 180 km southeast of Bear Island off the coast of Norway. It pictures an expedition in 1995, underwater submersible missions to the site consisting of hydronauts, scientists, and navy officers. Views Akademik Mstislav Keldysh, one of the most capable of Russian oceanographic research ships. The outstanding specialty of the Keldysh is as the mother ship of the Mir submersibles. Views of Mir Submersible, a craft capable of carrying special instruments and a crew of three to below 20,000 feet; scientists and divers conduct predive checks, Mir is lowered by crane into the water, unhitched, and towed away by small boat.
The expedition reaches the wreck. Underwater footage Komsomolets Compartments filmed by video cameras of Mir at a depth of 500-1,250 feet or 1,500-1,700 meters. Scientists take measure radioactivity around the wreck, inspect the hull and debris; take water & soil samples.
