Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced the launch of its first analog space mission, to study the challenges of extraterrestrial conditions that will help in future space missions. The mission, which includes a compact, inflatable habitat named Hab-1 will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat. It is being held in Leh, in Ladakh.
ISRO Launches India’s First Analog Space Mission
Why In News
- Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced the launch of its first analog space mission, to study the challenges of extraterrestrial conditions that will help in future space missions. The mission, which includes a compact, inflatable habitat named Hab-1 will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat. It is being held in Leh, in Ladakh.
- Even as India plans to launch several space missions, the new mission will help understand the challenges that future astronauts may encounter on missions beyond Earth.
What Are Analog Space Missions
- Analog missions are field tests in locations that have physical similarities to the extreme space environments. NASA engineers and scientists work with government agencies, academia, and industry to gather requirements for testing in harsh environments before they are used in space.
- Testing : New technologies, robotic equipment, vehicles, habitats, communications, power generation, mobility, infrastructure, and storage.
- Behavioural effects – such as isolation and confinement, team dynamics, menu fatigue etc.
- Analog missions provide space agencies with data about strengths, limitations, and the validity of planned human-robotic exploration operations. They also define ways to combine human and robotic efforts to enhance scientific exploration.
About The Mission
- The mission aims to simulate life in an interplanetary habitat, addressing the challenges that future astronauts may encounter on missions beyond Earth.
- This pioneering initiative is a collaborative endeavour involving the Human Spaceflight Centre of Isro, AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and is supported by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
- The analogue mission will take place in Ladakh, a region chosen for its 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 missions.
- This initiative is part of India’s broader ambition to enhance its capabilities in human spaceflight and interplanetary exploration, including the Gaganyaan program, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space.
- During the mission, participants will engage in various activities designed to mimic life on another planet. These include habitat design evaluations, resource management studies, and psychological assessments of isolation effects on crew members.
- The insights gained from this mission are expected to inform future designs of habitats for both lunar and Martian environments. “This mission will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth,” the space agency added.
- Hab-1 is equipped with essentials like a hydroponics farm, kitchen, and sanitation facilities. It provides a self-sustaining environment, offering valuable data as India is planning long-duration space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
- During the mission, the scientists will test new technologies, robotic equipment, vehicles, habitats, and communications. They will also seek to understand power generation, mobility, infrastructure, and storage during the analog mission.
- Hab-1 will also study the effects of isolation and confinement on human health and performance.
- The findings may help ISRO understand the strengths, limitations, and validity of planned human-robotic exploration operations.
- Hab-1 allows scientists to study the effects of isolation and confinement on human health and performance and includes essentials such as a hydroponics farm, kitchen, and sanitation facilities.
- This setup will help study the challenges astronauts will face in a base station beyond Earth and prepare them accordingly.
- Ladakh’s environment presents an opportunity for researchers to gather critical data that will support India’s Gaganyaan program and future missions.
Why Was Ladakh Chosen
- Ladakh’s extreme isolation, dry climate, and barren, high-altitude terrain make it ideal for simulating conditions similar to Mars and the Moon.
- Similarities:
- Both Moon and Ladakh have extremely dry environments.
- Ladakh experiences significant temperature fluctuations, similar to both the Moon and Mars.
- Ladakh’s rocky, barren terrain resembles the terrain of the Moon and Mars.
- Dissimilarities:
- The Moon has virtually no atmosphere, whereas Mars has a thin atmosphere, whereas, Ladakh is a part of Earth’s atmosphere.
- The Moon has no water vapour in its atmosphere, Mars has some water vapour, whereas Ladakh’s atmosphere, through dry, still contains some moisture.
- The Moon has an intense thermal radiation caused by the direct sunlight which is hard to replicate on Earth.
