Latest news with #Mars-like
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First Post
5 days ago
- Science
- First Post
What will life be like on Mars? Isro's Hope mission in Ladakh offers a clue
Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has formally kicked off its first high-altitude analogue mission, Human Outer Planetary Exploration (HOPE), in the cold, high-altitude Mars-like terrain of Tso Kar valley in Ladakh, which mimics the Red Planet in climate and terrain. 'This is a rehearsal for the future,' Isro Chairman Narayanan said during its inauguration. Here's how it will help India's human space programme read more Hope has been set up in one of the most Mars-like environments on Earth, a high-altitude, cold desert in Ladakh located 4,530 metres above sea level. Image courtesy: Isro The cold desert of Ladakh is now home to a unique facility that mimics what life could be like on the Moon or Mars. In a significant step towards India's human spaceflight goals, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has launched its first full-scale analogue simulation mission called HOPE, short for Human Outer Planetary Exploration. Set up in the high-altitude Tso Kar valley, this 10-day mission, which began on August 1, is focused on people, testing how humans handle the physical and mental challenges they would likely face during a long space journey, such as a crewed mission to Mars. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So what exactly is inside the Hope simulator? And how could it shape the way India prepares for future missions to Mars and beyond? Here's a closer look. What is Hope? Hope has been set up in one of the most Mars-like environments on Earth, a high-altitude, cold desert in Ladakh located 4,530 metres above sea level. According to a report by India Today, the Hope habitat is made up of two interconnected modules: an 8-metre-wide living unit for the crew, and a 5-metre utility module that contains essential equipment and support systems. Inside this compact and self-sustaining station, the two-membered crew has access to key facilities including hydroponic farming systems, a kitchen, sanitation setup, and circadian lighting, all designed to closely mimic the kind of life-support systems needed for long-duration missions in space. The mission has been built and is being operated by Protoplanet, a Bengaluru-based startup. Backed by Isro's Human Spaceflight Centre, it also involves scientific contributions from IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIST, and RGCB Trivandrum. According to NDTV, the entire setup has been built by the company for just Rs 1 crore, excluding the simulation of microgravity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, formally inaugurated ISRO's high-altitude analog mission HOPE on 31st July 2025. The mission is scheduled to be conducted from 1st to 10th August 2025 at Tso Kar, Ladakh (elevation: 4,530 metres). Set in one of… — ISRO (@isro) August 1, 2025 'Hope is not just a test of endurance; it's a critical proving ground for India's future human space missions. The insights we gather here will directly impact how we train astronauts, design mission protocols, and develop sustainable spaceflight systems,' said Isro Chairman V Narayanan during the mission's inauguration. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also read: What we know about Vyommitra, the female humanoid that ISRO is sending on the Gaganyaan mission What will happen during Hope? The 10-day mission is packed with carefully planned experiments and activities, all of which are being closely monitored by Isro scientists and mission control teams. Some of the key areas being tested include: -Monitoring physical health: Real-time monitoring of how the crew's body responds to high altitude and low-oxygen conditions. -Studying mental well-being: Analysis of stress levels, cognitive functioning, and teamwork performance in an enclosed and isolated setting. -Testing new tech: Field testing of advanced equipment like biomedical devices, prototype spacesuits, and communication tools under simulated Mars conditions. -Running emergency drills: Simulations of possible mission crises, such as equipment failure or health emergencies, to test how well response protocols work in extreme environments. 'This is going to be a very major facility,' Dr V Narayanan told NDTV. 'It will be helping us in a big way, especially in simulating most aspects of space missions except microgravity'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why was Ladakh chosen for Hope? The Indian space agency chose Tso Kar Valley in Ladakh for a reason. This high-altitude desert, sitting at 4,530 metres above sea level, offers some of the most Mars-like conditions on Earth. The thin air, low oxygen, extreme cold, high UV radiation, and rocky terrain closely resemble what astronauts would face on another planet. In fact, Ladakh has already been used in previous smaller Isro analogue projects, including the Ladakh Human Analogue Mission (LHAM) in 2024 and a ten-day Anugami Isolation Study involving Isro's Gaganyatri Astronaut Group Captain Angad Pratap, earlier in 2025. The Hope mission builds on those experiments, but this time, it's full-scale and far more complex. Why Hope is significant As India prepares for its ambitious human spaceflight roadmap, including the Gaganyaan mission, a space station by 2035 and a crewed lunar landing by 2040, the Hope analogue mission stands as a critical stepping stone. 'This is a rehearsal for the future,' said Narayanan. 'It is essential for our human space programme leading up to sending a human to the Moon.' Hope gives Isro a rare chance to test out life-support systems, observe how crew members work and respond in isolation, and fine-tune mission procedures, all in a Mars-like setting without ever leaving Earth. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But the mission goes beyond just testing equipment. It's also a strong statement of purpose. With Hope, India joins a small group of countries actively preparing for deep-space exploration through officially recognised analogue simulations, a clear signal that India is serious about becoming a major player in future interplanetary missions. With input from agencies
NDTV
5 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
'HOPE' In Ladakh To Simulate Life On Mars, A "Rehearsal" For Future
New Delhi: The cold desert of Ladakh sometimes also referred to as the 'moonscape' is now home to a facility that will mimic living conditions of humans as if they were on Moon or Mars. In a significant moment for India's human spaceflight ambitions, Dr V Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), inaugurated the Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE) analogue mission setup in Ladakh. The facility, located at an altitude of 4.3 kilometres above sea level, is designed to simulate Mars-like conditions and will serve as a testbed for future crewed missions to the Moon and beyond. "This analogue mission is more than a simulation, it is a rehearsal for the future," said Dr V Narayanan. "It will help us understand the psychological and physiological aspects of human spaceflight, and it is a major milestone in our journey toward sending Indians to the Moon". The HOPE analogue mission is part of a broader national endeavour spearhead by Protoplanet, a private space company, headquartered in Bengaluru and supported by ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), which is leading India's efforts to extend human presence into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and eventually achieve a crewed lunar landing by 2040. The 20 day mission to the International Space Station by Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla cost India nearly Rs 550 crores while a simulation facility where almost everything except simulating micro-gravity has been erected at a cost of Rs 1 crore by Protoplanet and its partners. These analogue facilities as they are called are great tests beds especially to analyse human behaviour in isolation. The analogue mission setup in Ladakh includes a specially designed eight-meter diameter habitat module for crew living and a five-meter diameter utility module for operations and support systems. These modules are interconnected to enable seamless crew workflows and planetary surface operations. The Tso Kar Valley was chosen for its striking environmental parallels with early Mars, high ultraviolet flux, low air pressure, extreme cold, and saline permafrost, making it an ideal location to simulate extra-terrestrial conditions. "The situation there is similar to the Mars habitat," noted Dr V Narayanan. "That is what my colleagues have explained to me. I am yet to visit the facility myself, but I plan to do so soon to review it in detail", he told NDTV. Protoplanet, a leading space technology innovator, says this landmark initiative marks a significant step forward in human space exploration, with a focus on understanding the physiological and psychological aspects of long-duration space travel. Mahindra Automobiles, a pioneer in sustainable and advanced mobility solutions, has been named the official mobility partner for the HOPE mission's initial phase. Following the inauguration, a 10-day HOPE analogue mission is being conducted from August 1 to 10, 2025, in partnership with national institutions such as the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), IIT Hyderabad, IIT Bombay, and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Bangalore. Investigators from these institutions will study epigenetic, genomic, physiological, and psychological responses of two analogue crew members. The mission will also validate health-monitoring protocols, refine sample collection techniques, and test microbial analysis methods. "This facility will be helping us mainly in the human spaceflight activities," emphasised Dr V Narayanan. "Originally, only one crewed space mission was approved. Now, thanks to the Prime Minister, eight missions have been sanctioned, including two crewed missions and the development of the Bharat Antariksha Station module in space. We are also working on docking experiments and a crewed lunar mission. All these facilities like this one in Ladakh will be really helping". The HOPE analogue mission follows two earlier initiatives led by HSFC, the Ladakh Human Analog Mission (LHAM) in November 2024 and the ten-day isolation study 'Anugami' involving ISRO's Gaganyatri Astronaut Group Captain Angad Pratap in July 2025, done in Bengaluru. These missions are part of a systematic effort to generate Indian subject data to address the physiological, psychological, and operational challenges of human spaceflight. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to open up the space sector to greater industry participation, the HOPE mission also marks a new era of public-private synergy. The analogue mission is being conducted in collaboration with an industry partner Protoplanet, showcasing the evolving landscape of India's space ecosystem. "This is going to be a very major facility," said Dr V Narayanan. "It will be helping us in a big way, especially in simulating most aspects of space missions except microgravity". Protoplanet's efforts at Tso Kar have been significantly bolstered by the invaluable support and expertise from The Mars Society and Mars Society Australia. Both organisations have extensive experience in building and operating highly successful analogue stations in diverse environments, including the deserts of the United States and the Arctic. Their collaboration has been crucial in establishing Tso Kar as a world-class facility for space analogue research. As India prepares for its ambitious human spaceflight roadmap, including the Gaganyaan mission, a space station by 2035, and a crewed lunar landing by 2040, the HOPE analogue mission stands as a critical stepping stone. It offers a unique opportunity to test technologies, study crew dynamics, and refine operational protocols in a controlled yet challenging environment. "This is a rehearsal for the future," says Dr V Narayanan. "It is essential for our human space programme leading up to sending a human to the Moon."
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.
NDTV
7 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
ISRO Sets Up Station In Ladakh To Simulate Life On Moon, Mars
Marking a significant leap in India's space exploration efforts, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has set up the Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE) in Ladakh's Tso Kar Valley. It is a high-altitude, Mars-like environment selected to test life-support systems and technologies for future lunar and Martian missions. The HOPE station, inaugurated on July 31 by ISRO chairman Dr V Narayanan, will be used to test systems for future space missions. The project is led by ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre, along with support from an industry partner and top research institutions. The analogue mission is part of a growing international movement to study how humans might survive and thrive in extra-terrestrial environments by replicating the harsh conditions of other planets on Earth. Why Tso Kar Valley Was Picked For Testing The Tso Kar Valley was chosen for its environmental similarities to Mars, which include high UV radiation, low atmospheric pressure, extreme cold and saline permafrost. The HOPE facility has two connected units. One is an eight-metre wide living space for the crew, while the other is a five-metre utility module housing equipment and support systems. A 10-day trial mission is being held from August 1 to 10, where two crew members will stay inside and take part in various physical, mental and task-based tests. Scientists from institutions like IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIST Trivandrum, RGCB Trivandrum and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bengaluru are leading several experiments. They are studying how isolation affects the body and mind, testing health-monitoring tools, and trying out methods for working on planetary surfaces and collecting microbes. The results will help shape safety plans, equipment and systems for future space missions. ISRO On HOPE Mission Calling the HOPE mission 'a rehearsal for the future,' Dr Narayanan said that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of expanding private sector participation in India's space programme. Coinciding with the HOPE mission, new research from Ladakh's high-altitude Puga Valley has uncovered clues about the origins of life on Earth. Indian scientists have found that the valley's geothermal springs may mimic early Earth conditions and can preserve organic molecules associated with life's beginnings. A study by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) has found traces of amino acid compounds, fatty acids, formamide and sulphur in calcium carbonate deposits (travertine) from the area. According to lead researcher Dr Amritpal Singh Chaddha, 'The high UV exposure and extreme conditions of the Puga Valley mimic those of early Earth and potentially, ancient Mars.' Published in ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, the study, along with the ongoing HOPE mission, is positioning Ladakh as a key hub for India's growing space and astrobiology efforts.
