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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has started the country’s first analog space mission at Leh in Ladakh, where space agency will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat. The move assumes significance as India is planning to send a human to the Moon in the near future.
A collaborative effort by Human Spaceflight Centre, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and supported by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, this mission will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth.
It is designed to support both physical needs and psychological well-being, the habitat integrates a range of innovative technologies like airlock and Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVA zone), Circadian lighting system, hydroponics, environment monitoring system and stand-alone power system.
Airlock and EVA Zone is a dedicated space for preparing for EVA while maintaining habitat integrity; the Circadian lighting system simulates natural daylight cycles to support astronauts’ sleep-wake patterns, the hydroponics and food preparation area supports sustainability and fresh food production, the stand-alone power system utilises renewable energy to ensure uninterrupted power and the environmental monitoring system tracks habitat conditions to support optimal functioning.
Ladakh was chosen for its unique environmental characteristics, which closely mirror those of Mars and the Moon.
The Diurnal shifts from 15°C to -10°C, which simulate the thermal challenges of extraterrestrial environments, enabling testing of the habitat’s thermal insulation.
Situated over 3,500 meters above sea level, Ladakh’s oxygen levels are only 40% of sea level, allowing researchers to test life support systems for low-pressure conditions similar to Mars.
Region’s sandy, rocky soil resembles Martian and lunar regolith, ideal for research on rover mobility and in-situ resource utilisation.
Analog missions are field tests in locations that have physical similarities to the extreme space environments.
Tests include: new technologies, robotic equipment, vehicles, habitats, communications, power generation, mobility, infrastructure, and storage. Behavioral effects – such as isolation and confinement, team dynamics, menu fatigue, and others are also observed.
Past generations used analog missions to prepare for leaving Earth’s atmosphere, landing on the moon, and permanently orbiting our planet.
Currently, analog missions are being organized by space agencies as well as private entities and researchers. Recent examples of NASA or ESA establishing partnerships with private companies related to commercial rocket launching or satellite communication systems are showing how the private sector capacity and faster working process is beneficial for governmental agencies.
Currently, it is the commercialization that is encouraging private entities to invest and work on R&D projects developing human space exploration.
Analogue Mission |
Conducted by |
Location |
Purpose |
Duration |
Year Started |
HI-SEAS (Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) |
NASA and University of Hawaii |
Mauna Loa, Hawaii, USA |
Simulate Mars surface conditions to study crew dynamics, isolation, and resource management |
Ranges from 4 to 12 months |
2013 |
NEEMO (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations) |
NASA |
Aquarius Reef Base, Florida Keys, USA |
Underwater mission to simulate microgravity and confined living |
Typically 10–21 days |
2001 |
Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) |
The Mars Society |
Utah Desert, USA |
Simulate Mars environment to test equipment and study group dynamics |
2 weeks per crew rotation |
2001 |
Concordia Station |
ESA and French-Italian Antarctic program |
Antarctic Plateau, Concordia Station, Antarctica |
Extreme isolation studies to understand psychological effects of confinement and isolation |
Typically 9 months in isolation |
2005 |
LUNA (Lunar Analog) |
ESA and Roscosmos |
Moscow, Russia |
Simulate Moon base operations and study effects of isolation |
2 weeks to 1 month |
2019 |
SIRIUS (Scientific International Research In Unique Terrestrial Station) |
Russian Academy of Sciences & NASA |
Moscow, Russia |
Simulate Moon and Mars missions, focusing on crew interactions in isolation |
4, 8, and 12-month missions |
2017 |
Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) |
NASA |
Johnson Space Center, Houston, USA |
Simulate deep-space missions like trips to asteroids or Mars |
45-day missions |
2014 |
Pangaea |
ESA |
Lanzarote, Spain |
Train astronauts in geological fieldwork on Earth to prepare for lunar or Mars geology |
Typically a few weeks |
2016 |
CHILL-ICE (Cave Habitat In Lunar Landscape- Iceland) |
CHILL-ICE Foundation |
Iceland |
Use Icelandic lava tubes as analogue for lunar caves to simulate lunar habitats |
Typically 3–10 days |
2020 |
AMASE (Arctic Mars Analog Svalbard Expedition) |
NASA, ESA, Norwegian government |
Svalbard, Norway |
Mars analog to test life detection and planetary exploration equipment |
Varies per mission |
2003 |
Desert Mars Analog Ramon Station (D-MARS) |
D-MARS Israel |
Negev Desert, Israel |
Simulate Mars mission and train crews in EVAs, isolation, and surface operations |
Typically 10 days |
2018 |
MOONWALK |
ESA, European partners |
Rio Tinto, Spain, and subsea locations |
Testing robotic, EVA, and operational concepts for Moon and Mars |
Typically 1–2 weeks |
2015 |
INTERNATIONAL MOONBASE ALLIANCE (IMA) |
International Moonbase Alliance |
Mauna Loa, Hawaii, USA |
Train astronauts and conduct lunar base research |
Ranges from 2 weeks to 1 month |
2018 |
CAVES (Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behavior and performance Skills) |
ESA |
Caves in Sardinia, Italy |
Underground training simulating space isolation and confinement |
6-day mission |
2011 |
Sources:
PRACTICE QUESTION Q:Discuss the significance of analog space missions in preparing for human space exploration. Highlight the major challenges these missions aim to address and the potential benefits for long-duration space travel. (250 Words) |
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