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India has taken a significant step towards advancing its human spaceflight capabilities with the launch of its first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh. This collaborative effort, involving the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), AAKA Space Studio Pvt. Ltd, the University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, aims to simulate the conditions of life in an interplanetary habitat. The mission will serve as a vital testbed for tackling the challenges associated with establishing a base station beyond Earth.
The mission site, strategically chosen for its resemblance to Martian and lunar surfaces, provides a natural laboratory for testing habitat sustainability, life support systems, and the human experience of isolation. For the next 21 days, an analog astronaut from AAKA Space Studio will reside within the habitat, conducting crucial research to support India's human spaceflight aspirations. The habitat, a human-centred prototype developed by AAKA Space Studio, is designed to support both physical needs and psychological well-being.
The habitat incorporates a range of innovative technologies to ensure a sustainable and comfortable environment for the analog astronaut. These technologies include an airlock and Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVA zone), a Circadian lighting system, hydroponics for food production, an environment monitoring system, and a stand-alone power system. The airlock and EVA zone allow for safe preparation for excursions outside the habitat while maintaining its integrity. The Circadian lighting system simulates natural daylight cycles to support the astronaut's sleep-wake patterns. The hydroponics system promotes sustainability and fresh food production, while the environmental monitoring system ensures optimal habitat conditions. The stand-alone power system utilizes renewable energy to provide uninterrupted power.
Ladakh's unique environmental characteristics, closely mirroring those of Mars and the Moon, played a crucial role in its selection as the mission site. The diurnal temperature shifts, ranging from 15°C to -10°C, simulate the thermal challenges of extraterrestrial environments, allowing for 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, providing an environment similar to Mars's low-pressure conditions, enabling testing of life support systems. The region's sandy, rocky soil, resembling Martian and lunar regolith, offers an ideal setting for research on rover mobility and in-situ resource utilization.