The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Friday the launch of its analogue space mission in Leh, Ladakh. This groundbreaking initiative aims to simulate life in extraterrestrial conditions, addressing the complexities associated with establishing a base station beyond our planet.
In a post on X, ISRO declared, “India’s first analog space mission kicks off in Leh!” The mission is a collaborative effort involving the Human Spaceflight Centre, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and is supported by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. This ambitious project will provide valuable insights into the challenges of living and working in a space environment.
Ladakh was selected as the mission site in August due to its unique geology, which resembles the surfaces of Mars and the Moon. The region’s cold, arid climate and high altitude create an ideal environment for testing technologies and strategies essential for long-duration space missions.
This initiative supports India’s broader ambitions to enhance its human spaceflight and interplanetary exploration capabilities, including the Gaganyaan project aimed at sending Indian astronauts into space.
During the mission, participants will engage in activities that replicate life on another planet, such as testing habitat designs, conducting resource management research, and studying the psychological effects of isolation on crew members.