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News18
20 hours ago
- Science
- News18
Two researchers to emerge from 10-day analogue space mission in Ladakh
New Delhi, Aug 10 (PTI) Two researchers are set to emerge from a 10-day isolation on Monday at the human outer space exploration (HOPE) outpost in Ladakh that simulates living conditions on the Moon and Mars to help better understand the physiological and psychological aspects of long-duration space travel. For the first experiment, two researchers — Rahul Mogalapalli and Yaman Akot — started their isolation mission on August 1 at the HOPE analogue site located on the banks of the Tso Kar lake, about 160 km from Leh. 'The aim of the mission was to assess human adaptability and resilience in conditions simulating deep space environments," Siddharth Pandey, the director of Protoplanet, a company involved in space science popularisation, told PTI. He said the insights gained from these studies will be instrumental in developing robust protocols and technologies for sustained human presence beyond Earth. The high-altitude and cold desert-like conditions here serve as an 'exceptional analogue site, closely mimicking the geological and environmental conditions found on the Moon and Mars", the statement noted. HOPE comprises a specially designed eight-meter diameter habitat module for crew living and a five-meter diameter utility module for operations and support systems, which are interconnected for seamless workflow. Similar to HOPE, there are research stations such as the Mars Desert Station (United States), Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station in Canada and BIOS-3 in Russia, which look to simulate the challenges that astronauts might face in adapting to alien worlds. The HOPE station is owned and operated by Protoplanet, with contributions from The Mars Society (US and Australia), ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre, and permissions from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. Experiments from partner institutions such as the Indian Institute for Space Science and Technology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Bombay, and the Institute for Aerospace Medicine were carried out during the 10-day isolation period. Investigators from these institutes will examine epigenetic, genomic, physiological and psychological responses of two analogue mission crew members and validate health-monitoring protocols, planetary surface operations, and refine sample collection and microbial analysis techniques. The data generated through these analogue missions organised by the Human Space Flight Centre of the ISRO will form the basis for the design of protocols and infrastructure for future Indian human exploration missions by providing key insights into technology performance, crew workflows, and environmental adaptation, ISRO said in a statement. India plans to launch astronauts to space as part of the Gaganyaan project in 2027 and land an Indian on the moon by 2040. Scientists from ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre and representatives from the Ladakh government are expected to attend the function on Monday at the Tso Kar Valley site. PTI SKU NSD NSD view comments First Published: August 10, 2025, 20:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Print
01-08-2025
- Science
- The Print
‘Mars' in Ladakh—2 scientists enter space bubble to test human endurance for interplanetary missions
Bengaluru-based space tech company Protoplanet, along with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has developed the analogue station, called the Human Outer Planet Exploration (HOPE) station, with the aim of conducting 'critical research for future crewed interplanetary journeys', according to a statement by the firm. New Delhi: Aerospace engineer Rahul Mogalapalli and astrobiologist Yaman Akot have started a unique isolation mission in Ladakh's Tso Kar. The duo will spend the next 10 days in a first-of-its-kind space analogue site, which will test their physical and psychological endurance in interplanetary conditions. The site at Tso Kar, located at an altitude of over 14,500 feet, was chosen because of its terrain and environment, which closely mimics conditions on the Moon and Mars. 'The coming together of this site has taken over nine years of work,' the Bengaluru-based company said. An analogue research station is a site with conditions closest to a planet or planetary body with regard to the topography, environment, etc. These stations usually act as testing grounds for relevant technologies, help advance technology readiness levels (TRL) and engineering integration, and facilitate human studies, crew training and research around geological, geomorphological, habitability, and life detection. The similarity in conditions helps scientists replicate interplanetary mission experiments and train astronauts under specific conditions. Currently, there are 33 analogue research stations in the world. Some of the prominent ones are the BIOS-3 in Russia, which is a closed-loop biodome located at the Institute of Biophysics; HERA at the US' Johnson Space Centre, a two-storey, four-port habitat; SHEE in Europe, a self-deployable portable habitat for extreme conditions; and the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in the US' Utah, a private property developed for research with multiple observatories and an analogue habitat. Utah in the US is home to several Mars analogue sites, primarily because of its dry, arid terrain. In these centres, scientists get the opportunity to replicate conditions similar to the Red Planet, where technology is tested and crew members are trained in the 'closest conditions possible'. Also Read: ISRO, NASA's sharped-eyed NISAR satellite reaches orbit, countdown to science phase begins The pilot crew Mogalapalli and Akot are the first batch of scientists to undertake HOPE's pilot mission. They were selected from a pool of 135 applicants who had volunteered for the project. During their 10-day stay, they will be tested in isolated conditions designed to test and refine astronaut training for long-duration interplanetary missions. The outcome of their experience will be used to refine protocols for human spaceflights. To prepare for the pilot, both crew members had to undergo training in confined habitat simulations. They were also put through medical tests and check-ups to ensure they were medically fit to carry out the mission. Before the final mission, the duo were also part of a 15-day pre-mission endurance training. A senior ISRO official told ThePrint that such sites will be essential in advancing India's human spaceflight ambitions. 'We will be encouraging more private players to enter the field and develop infrastructure that can be used for advancing India's space missions. If you see, this is the same model that is followed by the US.' (Edited by Mannat Chugh) Also Read: How NASA's 10-minute flight to study the Sun may help unlock the mysteries of solar astrophysics
