Context: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65953872
The above titanic submersible that went missing can only send short text messages from the ship to the submersible. From my understanding there is no GPS underwater and radio communication is impossible. How can Navy submarines communicate and navigate while submerged in the ocean but the missing submersible can’t?
In: 121
Submarines can always receive information off hull via extremely low frequency radio waves (ELF and UHF). These signals require extremely large antennas that only nation states can afford. ELF and UHF are also extremely low bandwidth, so think only a few words or sentences a minute. But that’s enough to receive a fire order so it’s enough for the submarine’s purpose.
Submarines also cannot respond in ELF or UHF frequencies so they would come to the surface to quickly send/receive via VHF or satellite before submerging again. A submarine’s greatest asset is stealth so they are vulnerable if they are surfaced for too long.
Since this is a private company, it’s unlikely that this capsule had ELF or UHF receiving capabilities.
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