In a major leap toward interplanetary human space exploration, India has quietly established a facility in one of the most extreme terrains on Earth -- the cold desert of Ladakh -- to simulate what life could be like on the Moon or Mars.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on August 1 launched its first-ever full-scale analogue simulation mission called HOPE, short for Human Outer Planetary Exploration. This mission is a crucial part of India’s long-term human spaceflight ambitions and is being run in a highly Mars-like setting -- the high-altitude Tso Kar Valley in Ladakh, at 4,530 metres above sea level.
What is HOPE?
HOPE is a 10-day analogue mission aimed at closely replicating the conditions astronauts would face during extended space travel, such as a crewed journey to Mars. Unlike previous pilot projects, HOPE is India’s first attempt at a full-scale simulation of a crewed interplanetary environment.
According to a report by India Today, the facility consists of two primary modules: an 8-metre-wide living unit for the crew and 5-metre utility module housing critical support systems.
These interconnected units form a compact, self-sufficient habitat equipped with hydroponic farming, a kitchen, sanitation facilities, and circadian lighting -- all designed to mimic the life-support systems essential for survival in space.
The mission is operated by Protoplanet, a Bengaluru-based space startup, with support from ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre. Scientific contributions have come from IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIST, and RGCB Trivandrum.
According to NDTV, the entire setup has been developed at a cost of just Rs 1 crore, excluding the microgravity simulation.
“Hope is not just a test of endurance; it’s a critical proving ground for India’s future human space missions. The insights we gather here will directly impact how we train astronauts, design mission protocols, and develop sustainable spaceflight systems,” said ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan, at the mission’s inauguration.
What will be tested during HOPE?
The mission is packed with scientific activities, simulations, and real-time monitoring to assess how a human crew would adapt to extreme conditions similar to those on Mars.
Key focus areas include:
Physical health monitoring: The crew’s physiological responses to high altitude and low oxygen levels are being tracked in real time.
Mental health and performance: Psychological factors such as isolation stress, cognitive function, and teamwork in a closed environment are being studied.
Tech and equipment testing: New biomedical devices, prototype spacesuits, and space communication tools are undergoing field testing under simulated extraterrestrial conditions.
Crisis response simulations: Emergency drills, including equipment failure and medical scenarios, are being run to assess readiness and protocols.
“This is going to be a very major facility. It will be helping us in a big way, especially in simulating most aspects of space missions except microgravity,” said Dr V Narayanan, speaking to NDTV.
Why Ladakh?
The Tso Kar Valley in Ladakh offers one of Earth’s most Mars-like environments. With its thin atmosphere, freezing temperatures, rocky terrain, high UV radiation, and low oxygen levels, it’s a near-perfect natural analogue for testing human survival strategies for Mars and Moon missions.
Ladakh has already hosted earlier analogue missions like Ladakh Human Analogue Mission (LHAM), 2024 and Anugami Isolation Study, 2025, involving Gaganyatri astronaut Group Captain Angad Pratap.
However, HOPE marks the first time India has attempted a full-scale, crewed simulation with advanced infrastructure and long-duration protocols.
Why HOPE matters?
ISRO charts a bold roadmap that includes the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, a space station by 2035 and a crewed lunar landing by 2040. In view of this, HOPE becomes a crucial rehearsal for what lies ahead.
“This is a rehearsal for the future. It is essential for our human space programme leading up to sending a human to the Moon,” ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan said.
HOPE allows scientists and engineers to fine-tune critical life-support systems, train astronauts in extreme settings, and better understand how to operate in isolated, high-risk environments, without ever leaving Earth.
More than just a research initiative, HOPE signals India’s serious intent to join the elite group of nations preparing for deep-space human exploration.
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