Thailand cave rescue: Elon Musk’s mini-sub deemed impractical

Elon Musk has been touting his “kid submarine’’ as a possible solution for rescuing the trapped boys in a Thai cave. Rescuers weren’t convinced.

Elon Musk’s “mini-sub’ Picture: Supplied

Tham Luang cave rescue command chief Narongsak Osaththanakorn says SpaceX boss Elon Musk’s “kid submarine” is not practical for the mission.

Mr Musk, who has been tweeting about the rescue for days, visited the cave early this morning with his transparent and flexible oxygen-filled tube that he has named “Wild Boar” after the trapped Thai football team.

LIVE: Thailand cave rescue continues

The billionaire entrepreneur posted instagram video and Twitter pictures of his visit this morning. He went as far as the Thai navy SEALS command post in the third chamber, 1500 metres from the cave entrance.

“Just returned from Cave 3. Mini-sub is ready if needed. It is made of rocket parts & named Wild Boar after kids’ soccer team. Leaving here in case it may be useful in the future. Thailand is so beautiful.”

Just returned from Cave 3. Mini-sub is ready if needed. It is made of rocket parts & named Wild Boar after kids’ soccer team. Leaving here in case it may be useful in the future. Thailand is so beautiful. pic.twitter.com/EHNh8ydaTT

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 9, 2018

Mr Musk said he would leave the contraption with the Thais as a gift to recognise the incredible rescue effort they have mounted in the past 17 days.

Tesla boss Elon Musk

Earlier, Mur Musk tweeted footage of the bullet-shaped cylinder with an aluminium shell being moved around by divers and snorkellers in a Los Angeles swimming pool, prompting questions about how divers in Thailand would be able to guide it through narrow winding dark chambers including a “choke point” U-turn only 38cm wide.

The tech entrepreneur said the diameter of the sub was 31cm.

Divers test the Musk “mini-sub’’ underwater in an LA pool.