ISRO on November 1, 2024 said that its analogue space mission has taken off at Leh in Ladakh.
- This mission will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth.
What are analog missions?
- According to NASA, analog missions are field tests conducted in remote Earth environments to simulate extreme space conditions, allowing researchers to study human and robotic response to space-like challenges.
- Such tests are crucial for evaluating technologies, habitats, communication systems, and other equipment necessary for extraterrestrial operations.
- Additionally, these missions provide insights into behavioral dynamics under isolation, confinement, and team-driven settings—conditions essential for deep-space missions.
ISRO’s analog missions
- The mission, spearheaded by ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre, brings together partners from AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and is supported by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
- This mission aims to simulate interplanetary habitat conditions, helping scientists explore the feasibility of establishing a sustainable base station beyond Earth.
- Ladakh’s extreme isolation, dry climate, and barren, high-altitude terrain make it ideal for simulating conditions similar to Mars and the Moon.
- The environment presents an opportunity for researchers to gather critical data that will support India’s Gaganyaan program and future missions.
- Dr. Aloke Kumar, a leading Indian scientist, initially proposed Ladakh’s potential for space research, seeing it as an Earth-based environment that mirrors the harsh conditions of Mars and the Moon.
