Why Ladakh is chosen as research site for India's Mars and Moon missions? All you need to know

(Representative Image: Canva)

Scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have chosen Ladakh as the ideal location for the country’s first Mars and Moon analogue research station.

The proposal for this research station comes from a team of experts, including Binita Phartiyal from BSIP, Aloke Kumar from IISc, and Shubhanshu Shukla, one of India’s Gaganyaan astronauts.

Ladakh’s rocky terrain, cold and arid desert landscape, and geomorphological similarities to early Mars and the Moon make it a prime candidate for simulating extra-terrestrial conditions. “An analogue research station allows us to plan and practice activities meant for the Moon and Mars,” Aloke Kumar explained to The Times of India. “For instance, we can build astronaut habitats and observe how microbes and other organisms respond to these extreme environments.”

The proposed site in Ladakh offers an unparalleled natural laboratory for testing space equipment, training personnel, and conducting scientific studies. Phartiyal highlighted the region’s geochemical, geomorphological, and astrobiological fidelity to Mars and the Moon, making it an ideal setting for various research activities.

The establishment of this research station is expected to serve several crucial functions:

* Testing Platform for Space Technologies: Providing a controlled environment to advance technology readiness levels and engineering integration.

* Human Studies and Crew Training: Offering realistic conditions for training astronauts and studying human adaptation to extreme environments.

* Geological and Astrobiological Research: Enabling comprehensive studies of the terrain and potential extremophiles, organisms that thrive in extreme conditions.

This initiative aligns with India’s ambitious space programme, which includes plans for a space station by 2035 and a lunar landing by 2040. It also presents an opportunity for international collaboration, enhancing the global community’s efforts in space exploration. Moreover, it is poised to promote astro-tourism and support local communities in Ladakh.