'Mars is a 4-day drive from Delhi': ISRO and IIT simulate life on Red Planet in a place near the Capital
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Martian Gateway
In Ladakh’s thin air and rugged terrain, scientists see a mirror to Mars and the Moon. Its extreme environment offers India a golden chance to prepare for interplanetary exploration.
India’s First Step
On November 1, ISRO announced its maiden analogue mission in Leh. Collaborating with Aaka Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, and IIT Bombay, the mission marks India’s entry into Earth-based space simulations.
Global Gap
With over 30 analogue stations worldwide, India has lagged behind global players like the US and Russia. Experts call this delay a missed opportunity for research and international collaboration.
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Ladakh’s Edge
“Ladakh’s high altitude provides 40% of sea-level oxygen and extreme temperatures that simulate Mars,” Aaka Space Studio’s Aastha Jhala was quoted in a TOI report. Its conditions are ideal for training astronauts for Moon and Mars missions.
Promising Partnerships
Bengaluru-based Protoplanet and ISRO are in talks for joint studies on habitat design, microgravity, and astrobiology. Protoplanet has also announced Spaceward Bound India 2025, a 12-day Ladakh expedition to train future scientists.
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Research Insights
Studies in Ladakh have tested instruments like the European Space Agency’s HABIT and explored microbial life. Dust devil studies over Tso Kar Lake offer clues to how microbes might travel on Mars and Venus.
Mars-Like Features
Ladakh resembles Mars 2 billion years ago when it was warmer and wetter. With receding glaciers, permafrost, and hypersaline lakes, it mimics ancient Martian conditions.
Scientific Potential
Ladakh’s ability to simulate life’s terrestrial origins, making it vital for future Mars and Moon missions. Its permafrost and clay deposits hold parallels to Red Planet explorations.
Global Impact
The investment in Ladakh’s analogue station could yield breakthroughs in biotechnology and sustainable living systems. Researchers believe it could shape both space exploration and Earth’s future resilience.