Volga-Dnepr Carries Submersibles To Baikal

On July 11, Volga-Dnepr Airlines used an An124-100 to deliver two deep-water submersible vehicles designated Mir-1 and Mir-2 and other research equipment from Kaliningrad to Ulan-Ude as part of a new research program at Lake Baikal.

Lake Baikal is the largest body of fresh water on the planet and the subject of some concern as economic development takes its toll on the environment.

The overall weight of research equipment delivered was 80 tons and was loaded at Chkalovsk military airport in Kaliningrad on the Baltic coast. The Mir-1 and Mir-2 vehicles were loaded using a specially designed monorail to be followed by an oceanographic vessel and and the remainder of the research equipment. Despite some concerns about the fate of the unique navigation system of the underwater vehicles they survived the long flight without incident.

The two year expedition to research the flora, fauna, lakebed and ecology of the lake is scheduled to begin in late July and has been arranged by The Baikal Lake Preservation Foundation. At 1637 meters (5371 ft), Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and the largest freshwater lake in the world by volume.

This is the first occasion that submersible vehicles have been used in the lake for research and over 60 diving missions will be performed during the first phase.