The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration with private space company Protoplanet, has inaugurated the Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE), an analogue mission facility in the cold desert of Ladakh, designed to mimic the extreme conditions of the Moon and Mars.

Located at 4.3 kilometres above sea level in the Tso Kar Valley, this cutting-edge setup replicates Mars-like conditions, including high ultraviolet radiation, low air pressure, saline permafrost, and extreme cold, making it an ideal site to test long-duration space mission scenarios. The facility was inaugurated by Dr V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, who called it a “rehearsal for the future.” “This analogue mission will help us understand the psychological and physiological challenges of human spaceflight,” he said.

The HOPE analogue mission features a specially designed eight-meter-diameter crew habitat and a five-meter utility module, both interconnected to simulate real-life crew workflows on planetary surfaces. The facility was constructed at a cost of just ₹1 crore, in sharp contrast to India’s recent ₹550 crore 20-day mission to the International Space Station by astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.

The 10-day analogue mission, running from August 1–10, 2025, involves collaboration with premier Indian research institutions, including IIST, IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, RGCB, and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine. Scientists are monitoring two analogue crew members to study epigenetic, genomic, physiological, and psychological responses under isolation. The mission will also test health-monitoring systems, sample collection, and microbial analysis techniques.

Protoplanet, a Bengaluru-based private company leading the mission, is supported by ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC). The initiative also marks a significant step in public-private partnership, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to open the space sector for industry collaboration. Mahindra Automobiles has been named the official mobility partner for the project.

"This is going to be a major facility that will help us simulate all aspects of space missions, except microgravity," Dr Narayanan noted. He added that facilities like HOPE will play a key role as India expands its human spaceflight goals. Initially approved for just one crewed mission, ISRO now has the green light for eight missions, including two crewed flights and the creation of the Bharat Antariksha Station, a space station module, by 2035.

HOPE follows two previous analogue missions led by ISRO: LHAM (Ladakh Human Analogue Mission) in November 2024 and Anugami, a 10-day isolation study with astronaut Group Captain Angad Pratap in July 2025.
Support from international experts, including The Mars Society and Mars Society Australia, has helped establish HOPE as a world-class simulation centre, drawing on global expertise in building similar facilities in the US deserts and Arctic regions.

As India eyes a crewed lunar landing by 2040, the HOPE analogue mission serves as a crucial testbed, helping refine crew dynamics, develop advanced protocols, and test key technologies in preparation for future journeys beyond Earth. “This facility is a milestone,” said Dr Narayanan. “It’s a rehearsal for sending Indians to the Moon — and eventually, even Mars.”