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Missing Titan submersible is operated by a cheap game controller (videogames.si.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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the Logitech F710 is a solid controller to get if you’re on a tight budget, but perhaps not exactly the type of equipment you want to stake your life on. [...] Reviewers on sites like Amazon frequently mention issues with the wireless device's connection.

The reporter, who followed an expedition of the Titan from the launch ship, wrote that “it seems like this submersible has elements of MacGyver jerry-riggedness.”

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The lack of an emergency transponder is their biggest problem, followed shortly after by the inability to exit without outside help (which is literally what killed the Apollo 1 crew over 50 years ago). Next up, as pointed out in another thread, is that the sub is made of extremely brittle materials because that makes it lighter. Honestly, using off the shelf components for the controls doesn't worry me nearly as much as those other issues.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

The more I hear about this the more I'm shocked that this death trap was allowed to operate at all! It seems on the level of that bear suit guy, super dyi energy but with no real use case.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

There was a video from some reporters that were given a ride I saw someone linked earlier, which included them having to sign a waiver that among other things stated that one acknowledges that the sub is an experimental vessel not certified by any regulatory body. So from the sound of it, there is nobody to regulate these things that would tell them no. I suppose given how rare civilian submarines are, let alone ones that take passengers, there probably hasn't been much need

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

You want to be more shocked? The pilot was the CEO. He was willing to risk everyone's lives and his own on this folly.