Latest news with #HimalayanOutpostforPlanetaryExploration
India Today
6 days ago
- Science
- India Today
Step inside Hope: Isro's attempt to mimic life on the Moon in Ladakh
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has launched the Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE) mission, a critical analogue simulation running from August 1 to 10, 2025, in Ladakh's Tso Kar mission is a major step in India's preparation for future human spaceflight and interplanetary exploration, including missions to the Moon and is set up in one of Earth's most Mars-like environments — a high-altitude cold desert at 4,530 meters above sea level characterised by extreme cold, low air pressure, high ultraviolet radiation, and saline This makes the Tso Kar Valley an ideal terrestrial analogue for testing conditions that astronauts will face on other planetary surfaces. The HOPE habitat consists of two interconnected modules: an 8-meter-wide living space for the crew and a 5-meter utility unit housing essential equipment and compact, self-sustaining habitat includes facilities such as hydroponic farming, kitchen, sanitary provisions, and circadian lighting, designed to simulate life-support systems for extended space the 10-day mission, two crew members remain inside the habitat, undergoing experiments that test physical, psychological, and cognitive responses to isolation, low oxygen, and other stressors similar to from premier Indian institutes, including IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIST Trivandrum, RGCB Trivandrum, and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine—are conducting studies on crew health monitoring, planetary surface operations, microbial collection, and advanced medical Human Space Flight Centre leads the HOPE project in collaboration with industry partners and research institutions. The mission serves as a rehearsal for the future enabling India to validate technologies, protocols, and human endurance necessary for sustainable human presence beyond is part of India's broader vision to advance human spaceflight capabilities, including the goal of an Indian crewed lunar landing by 2040, as well as eventual Mars simulating these harsh extraterrestrial conditions on Earth, Isro is building vital expertise in life-support systems, habitats, and mission planning that are crucial for pioneering space exploration and establishing India's role as a major player in future planetary exploration efforts.- Ends
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
ISRO launches mission HOPE in Ladakh
BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday announced the launch of Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE) analog mission in Tso Kar Valley, Ladakh. The ten-day long mission, from August 1-10, 2025, is more than a simulation, it a rehearsal for the future, said V Narayanan, ISRO Chairman at the sidelines of the inauguration. He said this high-altitude mission is being done at a 4,530 metres elevation. The location (The Tso Kar valley) is Earth's most Mars-like environment and the HOPE is designed to simulate planetary conditions for testing human physiological responses, validating mission protocols and evaluating spaceflight technologies. The mission marks a significant milestone in India's preparations for future human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit and Moon and Mars exploration missions, he added. Explaining why Ladakh was chosen by ISRO scientists the mission, ISRO scientists explained that it is a dry desert like cold area, where oxygen supply is less. The striking environment of the Tso Kar valley parallels with early Mars, due to high UV flux, low air pressure, cold extremes and saline permafrost, the scientist explained.
India Today
01-08-2025
- Science
- India Today
Isro begins 10-day analogue mission in Ladakh to simulate life in space
India's space ambitions took a major leap as the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) kicked off the country's first analogue mission in Ladakh, simulating conditions to prepare for future human space at 14,000 feet in the cold, barren outpost of Tso Kar, this effort tests both the technology and human endurance essential for long-duration missions beyond plans to launch astronauts to space by 2027 and to the Moon by the year 2040 as its space program The mission, dubbed Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (Hope), features an advanced, inflatable habitat designed to replicate life-support systems that astronauts would rely on during with hydroponics for food, sanitation systems, and a self-sustaining kitchen, Hab-1 will house a hand-picked two-member 'analogue crew' living in utter isolation for ten days. These analogue astronauts a planetary science graduate and a PhD researcher, were chosen from 135 applicants to simulate the psychological and physiological stresses of a real Moon was selected due to its extreme isolation, high-altitude terrain, and lunar-like geology, providing an environment where oxygen levels are just 40% of those found at sea has unique geological characteristics that closely resemble Martian and lunar landscapes. Its cold, arid conditions and high altitude provide an ideal environment for testing technologies and strategies necessary for long-duration space conditions allow for detailed examination of how life support systems, habitats, and protocols perform under the intense pressures of space-like isolation and missions are a globally recognised method for field-testing everything from astronaut health monitoring and emergency drills to robotics and communications in challenging Ladakh mission, part of Isro's preparations for its upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight as well as longer lunar ambitions, involves diverse partners, including IIT Bombay, the University of Ladakh, and private collaborators such as data collected will help researchers optimise crew health, adapt technologies for the lunar surface, and better understand how human teams operate cut off from the world for extended periods. It also demonstrates India's growing capability and scientific leadership as the nation pursues its goal of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon and, eventually, other planets.- Ends
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Isro, Bengaluru firm start 10-day analogue mission in Ladakh from today
BENGALURU: On a cold, wind-brushed outpost at 14,000 feet in Ladakh, two hand-picked analogue crew will begin living in isolation to simulate the physiological and psychological effects of a space mission starting Friday (August 1). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The analogue mission is being conducted by Isro at a facility — Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE) — established at Tso Kar, Ladakh, by Bengaluru-based firm Protoplanet . It was formally inaugurated by Isro chairman V Narayanan on Thursday. The two analogue crew, Rahul Mogalapalli, a PhD researcher at Purdue University, and Yaman Akot, a planetary science graduate from the University of Aberdeen, were selected from 135 applicants based on Isro guidelines. The high-altitude site, selected for its terrain similarities to the Moon and Mars, will be the setting for a 10-day human isolation experiment, designed to test and refine protocols for long-duration spaceflight. Protoplanet's initiative has backing from the Mars Society and Mars Society Australia, which have pioneered similar analogue stations in Arctic and desert regions. The station was established in collaboration with multiple institutions, with Mahindra providing ground logistics and mobility support for this inaugural mission. Both candidates have prior experience in confined habitat simulations and underwent comprehensive medical, psychological, and physical fitness assessments before being shortlisted. A 15-day pre-mission training phase was completed at lower altitudes before deployment to HOPE. The core of the study involves monitoring genetic and psychosocial changes under high-altitude stress. Scientists will track biological markers before, during, and after the mission, collecting blood, stool, and urine samples to understand what are known as 'omics' responses. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These include genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics markers triggered by high-altitude stress, confinement, and group dynamics. Isro will also monitor psychological stress indicators such as sleep cycles, decision-making ability, mood variations, and social interaction under prolonged confinement. The aim is to better understand how such extreme environments influence human behaviour and biology over time. The effort is part of Isro's broader and long-term ambitions for lunar and planetary crewed missions. Though the current mission is led by Isro's Human Space Flight Centre, Protoplanet will continue to operate the HOPE station for future missions, inviting private firms, academic institutions, and sector experts to participate in joint studies. The semi-permanent structure is modular and dismantlable, allowing it to be reused and adapted for different mission formats. Officials said more detailed analogue simulations in other parts of the Himalayas and elsewhere in India are being planned. These are expected to test other critical aspects of future crewed missions, including surface mobility, habitat design, and life support systems. Further results from the ongoing mission and future phases are expected to be announced later in the year.
