Simulating Mars: India’s Hab-1 Mission in Ladakh
India is taking bold steps in simulating Mars with Hab-1, a cutting-edge habitat prototype designed to prepare astronauts for life on the Red Planet and beyond. Could the egg-shaped Hab-1 structure become the future home for Indian astronauts in space? Developed as India’s first-ever analog mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), this habitat simulates space-like conditions to prepare for real missions. Recently, Hab-1 underwent a three-week trial in Ladakh, a mountainous region known for its harsh terrain.
Design and Purpose of Hab-1
Hab-1, designed by architect Aastha Kachha-Jhala of Aaka, addresses challenges astronauts and equipment may face during space missions. Constructed from space-grade Teflon and foam insulation, the compact structure features a sleeping area, retractable workstation, storage, mini-kitchen, and a dry toilet. A single astronaut lived there for three weeks to test its capabilities.
Kachha-Jhala explained, “Hab-1 considers the limited space and resources available on the Moon or Mars. We’ve designed a waste management system and created an odor-free, comfortable environment.” Discussions are underway with ISRO to establish India’s first space simulation complex in Ladakh.
Photo: AAKA Space Studio.
Simulating Mars: India’s Space Ambitions
The tests align with India’s broader space goals, including the Gaganyaan mission, slated to send three astronauts into low Earth orbit for three days next year. By 2035, India aims to build its own space station and plans to send humans to the Moon by 2040.
India also seeks independence in astronaut training. Professor Subrat Sharma of Ladakh University highlighted that indigenous simulations reduce reliance on agencies like NASA. Ladakh’s barren, rocky terrain mirrors the landscapes of Mars and the Moon, making it an ideal testing ground.
Soil samples collected during the mission are being analyzed to evaluate the feasibility of using local materials for constructing extraterrestrial bases. Ladakh’s extreme conditions—temperatures fluctuating from +20°C to -18°C daily—offer valuable insights into human endurance, even if they don’t fully replicate Martian or lunar environments.
Challenges of Isolation and Insights for Future Missions
A participant in the simulation, a 24-year-old astronaut, reflected on the experience: “The first few days were exciting, but repetitive tasks eventually became frustrating, impacting productivity and sleep.” Biometrics, blood, and saliva samples were continuously monitored, emphasizing the psychological factors critical to mission success.
Simulation Mars missions are increasingly central to space exploration and future planetary colonization. Agencies like NASA, ESA, and China are advancing similar initiatives. For instance, in July 2024, four volunteers spent a year in a Mars simulation, and NASA is exploring 3D printing for lunar bases using local materials.
India is determined to keep pace. Data from Ladakh will inform medical technologies and provide insights into how the human body adapts to low-oxygen environments, such as on Mars. As Professor Sharma concluded, these experiments represent crucial steps toward humanity’s journey into space exploration.
