All 11 parts, explained
1. Pressure hull
The pressure hull is a thick, round tube of strong metal. It keeps the sea out and the air inside, whatever the depth.
Fun fact A round shape spreads the push of the water evenly all the way around.
2. Outer casing
Around the pressure hull is a lighter outer skin, painted yellow and white, that gives the submarine its smooth shape.
Fun fact Bright colors make a research submarine easy to spot when it comes up.
3. Ballast tanks
Ballast tanks sit between the two skins. Letting water in makes the submarine heavier, so it sinks.
Fun fact Blowing air back into the tanks pushes the water out, and the submarine rises.
4. Dry cabin
Inside the pressure hull, the cabin stays dry and comfortable, at the same air pressure as on land.
Fun fact The water outside presses harder and harder the deeper you go: about one more air's worth for every 10 meters.
5. Working inside
The scientists can work in normal clothes, at a table, while the deep sea is just outside the wall.
Fun fact They look out through thick windows and watch screens from the cameras outside.
6. Under the floor
Under the floor are the batteries, pipes and machines that keep the submarine running.
Fun fact Heavy batteries low down help keep the submarine upright.
7. Air tanks
Tanks of squeezed air are used to blow the water out of the ballast tanks and make the submarine rise.
Fun fact Air squeezed into a tank is called compressed air.
8. Pipes and cables
Pipes carry air and water, and cables carry electricity to every part of the submarine.
Fun fact Every pipe and cable is checked before each dive.
9. From above and the side
Seen from above and from the side, you can find every room in a row, from the front window to the propeller.
Fun fact The rooms are lined up in a row because the hull is a long tube.
10. Diving planes
Tilting the small wings at the front makes the moving submarine point its nose up or down.
Fun fact Ballast tanks change the weight; the diving planes steer the dive.
11. Parts of a submarine
Go back outside to find every part on the outside of the submarine.
Fun fact Each part outside has a job in diving, steering or seeing.
