Context:
India’s first Mars and Moon analogue mission has been inaugurated in Leh, Ladakh, as a part of ISRO’s Gaganyaan program. This mission will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat, focusing on space research and human adaptability in extreme environments.
Key Details of the Mission
- Objective: The mission aims to simulate the experience of living in an interplanetary habitat for 21 days, where an analogue astronaut will reside in a controlled environment. The experiment will provide valuable insights into the effects of isolation and space-like conditions on astronauts.
- Organisations Involved:
- ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
- AAKA Space Studio
- University of Ladakh
- IIT Bombay
- Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council
Why Ladakh Was Chosen
Ladakh’s unique geography and environmental conditions make it an ideal location for simulating the harsh conditions of Mars and the Moon. Key factors include:
- Resemblance to Martian and Lunar Surfaces: Ladakh’s landscape, with its rugged, barren terrain, closely mirrors the surfaces of Mars and the Moon, offering a natural laboratory for testing interplanetary habitat sustainability.
- Thermal Shifts: The region experiences extreme diurnal temperature shifts, ranging from 15°C during the day to -10°C at night, simulating the temperature extremes found on other planets.
- Low Oxygen Levels: With oxygen levels only about 40% of sea level, Ladakh replicates the low-pressure conditions of Mars, allowing researchers to test life support systems and the human body’s response to reduced oxygen availability.
Role of Analogue Missions
- Analogue Missions are field tests conducted in environments similar to those encountered in space. These missions allow scientists to evaluate the performance of equipment, systems, and life support mechanisms under extreme conditions.
- Analogue Astronauts: The participants in these missions, also known as analogue astronauts, help gather critical data on how humans can live and work in space-like environments, contributing to the planning of future space missions, including India’s own Gaganyaan program.