Submarine Missing Controller Reddit: A Common Practice

Posted by Zora Stowers on Friday, May 3, 2024

The missing submarine controller Reddit thread has garnered significant attention, igniting widespread interest.

The missing Titan deep sea submarine was an experimental vessel that disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean with five people on board, including three paying tourists. 

One detail that has caught the attention of the internet is the fact that the sub was piloted using a video game controller, specifically a Logitech F710 controller.

The recent revelation that a low-cost games console controller is being used to operate a potentially hazardous underwater mission has triggered debates on social media.

Some have expressed unease with this detail. 

Nevertheless, according to experts in the field of deep-sea submersibles, utilizing accessible parts and incorporating redundancy is necessary to ensure safety in exploring the ocean’s depths.

The Reddit community discussed the intriguing case of the missing submarine and the unconventional use of a controller for piloting.

Why Use Video Game Controllers?

The use of video game controllers is not a new or unusual practice in submersibles. 

In fact, since 2017, the US Navy has been using Xbox 360 controllers to pilot their Virginia-class nuclear submarines as a way to increase reliability and reduce training time.

According to former OceanGate pilot and submariner Erika Bergman, it’s important to have easily replaceable parts in case of failures. 

While custom steering devices are available, using a video game controller is a reliable and simple option. “It’s very intuitive,” she said.

The Logitech F710 controller used to pilot the Titan is an off-brand option for PC and Microsoft Xbox consoles, but it is a viable choice for deep-sea submersibles because multiple controllers can be carried, and they’re relatively easy to replace.

The Importance of Redundancy

Submarines, like any complex machine, have multiple systems and components that can fail during a mission. 

That’s why redundancy is essential in submersibles, and using a video game controller offers one level of backup control.

In the case of the missing Titan submarine, it’s unclear what caused the mission to fail or why they lost contact with the crew.

Still, experts agree that a cheap games console controller is not a potential reason for the loss.

The Risks of Deep Sea Submersibles

Exploring the depths of the ocean is incredibly risky and dangerous.

The water pressure at the site of the Titanic wreck is over 400kg per square centimeter, which is why there are few mass-produced machines that can survive that kind of pressure.

In addition to the crushing pressure, deep-sea submersibles must also deal with limited oxygen reserves. 

While most submarines will have a maximum operation time, they also have reserve time before oxygen is used up.

The missing Titan submarine had around 70 to 96 hours of reserve oxygen when it disappeared.

Any rescue attempt must be able to reach the sub within this time, but the search area is vast, and few rescue vessels would be able to survive the extreme pressure.

It’s important to note that any crew that signs up for an experimental submersible mission knows the risks involved. 

As stated in the OceanGate paperwork: “This experimental vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and could result in physical injury, emotional trauma, or death.”

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