Leh, 1 November 2024: India’s first analog space mission, spearheaded by ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre, has launched in Leh, Ladakh, marking a significant step in preparing for human space exploration beyond Earth.
This mission, conducted in collaboration with AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, and IIT Bombay, and with support from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, is designed to simulate life in a habitat on another planet.
The analog mission places “astronauts” in an environment that mimics interplanetary conditions, allowing scientists to study how humans can adapt to and survive in harsh, alien-like conditions.
These missions are typically conducted in isolated, extreme environments on Earth that resemble planetary conditions, providing valuable data on the psychological and physical challenges astronauts might face on long-duration space missions.
This simulation in Ladakh’s high-altitude, remote setting offers a unique landscape similar to that of the Moon or Mars, ideal for testing interplanetary living strategies.
ISRO’s analog mission aims to advance India’s capabilities in space exploration by gaining insights into habitat construction, life-support systems, and resource management, all essential for a sustainable human presence beyond Earth.
