Atomic "Losharik" helps Russia to find the Arctic
Russia decided to seriously declare its territorial claims on the Arctic continental shelf. This is all the more gratifying, because lately we have often witnessed reverse processes when a foreign state tries to state its claims to Russian territory or the territorial waters of our country. One of the first practical applications to announce about quite serious areas of the Russian continental shelf was an expedition led by famous traveler and scientist Arthur Chilingarov (now a senator from the Tula region), held in the summer of 2007. Then Artur Chilingarov and other polar researchers, using the Mir deep-sea submersibles, monitored the bottom of the Arctic Ocean, and came to the conclusion that the Lomonosov and Mendeleev submarine ridges are part of the Russian Arctic shelf, and therefore, according to international rules, should be legally assigned to the Russian Federation.
For reference.
The Lomonosov Ridge extends 1800 kilometers from the Novosibirsk Islands almost to the Canadian island of Elksmeer. Discovered by Soviet Arctic explorers in the 1948 year.
The Mendeleev Range is located east of the MV Lomonosov Ridge. Discovered by a Soviet expedition in 1949. It has a part, which on American Arctic maps is designated as Alpha elevation.
About 12 years ago, information appeared that both the Lomonosov Ridge and the Mendeleev Ridge are extensions of the continental part of Russia. In the 2002 year, Russia submitted an application to the UN with a view to the fact that the territorial affiliation of the two ridges was recognized by experts at the international level. However, the UN working group, which was created to make a decision on the Russian application, decided not to say its “yes” to Moscow. Russia was recommended to provide more reasoned evidence that the shelf is really Russian, which means that it has the right to dispose of its enormous resources. UN experts recommended the Russian delegation to provide samples of rocks that will be obtained from two ridges. It is precisely in terms of geological parameters that one could give an exact answer whether the submarine ridges of the Arctic Ocean will receive Russian status or not.
For a long ten years, preparatory work has been going on with the help of well-thought-out effective actions to obtain the required samples. And now, as part of the Arktika-2012 expedition, a whole range of drilling was carried out, during which the specialists received about five hundred kilograms of rock from the very underwater mountain ranges discussed above. As they say, we need an evidence base - kindly get it.
The work was carried out in the form of close contact between the Russian Ministry of Defense and civilian specialists. In particular, drilling on the Arctic shelf was carried out from the ships "Dikson" and "Captain Dranitsyn" (icebreakers). Coordination assistance in the performance of both drilling operations and work on determining the exact borders of the continental shelf was provided by military experts who were on the unique nuclear submarine АС-12 of the 10830 (10831) project “Wicket”, which is also named as one of the Soviet cartoons - "Losharik." The project itself was developed as early as 80 by specialists from the Malakhit design bureau. Today "Losharik" is an amazing submarine, which is often called the nuclear underwater station. The concept itself was born from the fact that the station is represented by a set of spherical compartments made of such material as titanium, capable of withstanding tremendous pressure at depth.
Why did you need to use a military submarine to control the drilling process? The fact is that the drilling itself is not a momentary process. If only the Mir submersibles had entered the business, then every 72 hours they would have to be lifted to the surface and the batteries charged for a long time. This would obviously have delayed the work, and the dragging on today is clearly not in the interests of Russia, since other countries are also showing interest in the Arctic riches. For example, Canada quite unexpectedly declared that the same Mendeleev and Lomonosov ranges do not belong to Moscow, but to Ottawa ... Moreover, even those states that do not even have access to the Arctic Ocean are ready to join the Arctic race: Brazil and several others. Obviously, in this regard, Russia had to hurry, but to do everything wisely.
So we decided to attract military resources with increased autonomy.
The atomic deep-water station is free from the “Worlds” flaws, and has the ability to be at a depth of over 1000 meters up to several months, feeding on the energy of the reactor. The station itself is equipped with everything necessary for long-term work of specialists on board: there are compartments for the crew’s rest, a laboratory, a galley, and an air generation system. Those who have worked at least once at an underwater station, say that it is equipped as well as a real spacecraft making a long journey. The crew of the nuclear submarine autonomous station is 25 military officers in officer ranks.
During one of the deep-sea dives, the underwater station received minor damage, and in order to level the risk, it was decided to overtake it for maintenance at the Sevmash plant. After the work, "Losharik" will again be ready to return to the system.
Members of the research mission say that in the near future, samples of geological rocks will be sent to the United Nations for research. If the UN specialists are satisfied with the quantity and quality of the delivered samples, then Russia will finally get the right to redeem the Arctic shelf.
However, we can expect unexpected results from our “partners”. It would be no wonder if half a ton of rock from the depths of the Arctic Ocean will seem to be insufficient evidence at the UN. In this case, you will have to prove your right to the Arctic with your fist, otherwise you can keep us behind the "horny men" for a long time until you hear the words about the untimely forgotten Kuzka Mother ... No, this is not even a threat - a simple statement of fact ...
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