All 13 parts, explained
1. Sail
The sail is the tower on top of the submarine. It holds the masts, antennas and lights above the water.
Fun fact On many submarines, the sail is also where the crew climbs in and out.
2. Hatch
The hatch is a round, heavy door on top. The crew climbs down a ladder through it to get inside.
Fun fact The hatch must be closed and sealed tight before the submarine dives.
3. Antennas and masts
Thin masts and antennas stick up from the sail to send radio messages and find the position at the surface.
Fun fact Radio waves do not travel far through sea water, so radios work best at the surface.
4. Front window
The big round window at the front is very thick and strong, so it can hold back the water outside.
Fun fact The window is curved like a dome, a shape that is good at resisting pressure.
5. Portholes
The round windows along the side are called portholes. The crew can look out at the sea from inside.
Fun fact Deep down, the sea is dark, so the submarine's lights show what is outside.
6. Diving planes
The diving planes are small wings on the sides. Tilting them makes the submarine glide up or down as it moves.
Fun fact Diving planes work a bit like the wings and tail of an airplane.
7. Ballast tanks
Ballast tanks are big tanks in the submarine. Filled with air, it floats. Filled with water, it gets heavier and sinks.
Fun fact To come back up, the crew blows air into the tanks to push the water out.
8. Propeller
The propeller at the back spins to push the submarine forward through the water.
Fun fact The ring around the propeller guides the water and protects the blades.
9. Tail fins
The fins at the back help keep the submarine steady and steer it left and right.
Fun fact Fins that steer left and right work like a rudder on a boat.
10. Research robot
The yellow robot under the front carries cameras and lights to explore places too small for the submarine.
Fun fact The robot's cable carries electricity to it and sends its pictures back.
11. Hull
The hull is the body of the submarine. Inside the outer skin is a very strong tube that keeps the crew dry.
Fun fact The strong inner tube is called the pressure hull.
12. At the surface
At the surface, only the top of the submarine shows above the waves, like a whale coming up for air.
Fun fact When a submarine comes up to the top of the sea, it is called surfacing.
13. How it works
See inside the hull to find out how the submarine dives and keeps the crew safe.
Fun fact Floating and sinking depend on how heavy something is for its size.
