Leh, Ladakh, India – A significant international collaboration is underway in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh, India, aimed at establishing a sophisticated Mars analogue research and training environment. This initiative sees the Mars Society and its active chapter, Mars Society Australia, formally joining efforts, with Protoplanet serving as the nodal organization facilitating and coordinating the project alongside other national and international partners.
The project will leverage years of expertise gained from helping develop and operate facilities like the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah and the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS) on Devon Island in the high Arctic, as well as design work for the proposed Australian analogue station at Arkaroola. Mars Society Australia will play a pivotal role in the following technical aspects of the project
- Development of analogue training and operational procedures: Designing the protocols and methodologies for crew training, scientific research, and daily operations within the simulated Mars environment.
- Design of the habitat and internal configuration: Contributing to the architectural and interior planning of the research station to optimize functionality and habitability for analogue missions.
- Selection of systems for Mars analogue work: Advising on and selecting the necessary equipment, technology, and life support systems required for conducting effective research and simulating mission activities.
Dr. Jonathan Clarke, President of Mars Society Australia, a scientist with extensive experience in conducting field expeditions in Utah, Arctic, Australia and New Zealand, and training students and researchers in Ladakh since 2016, will lead the technical efforts and a contingent of Australian researchers joining the upcoming Spaceward Bound India expedition. Dr Annalea Beattie, Director of Mars Society Australia has led and participated in numerous Mars analogue expeditions in US, Australia and has been engaged with developing art-based programs with a focus on environmental stewardship and ethics in space.
Dr. Robert Zubrin, the US-based President and Founder of The Mars Society International, endorsed the program, emphasizing the global importance of such initiatives. “Analogue stations are crucial testbeds for the technologies, procedures, and human factors necessary for future missions to Mars,” stated Dr. Zubrin. “This collaboration in Ladakh, facilitated by Protoplanet and drawing on the strengths of Mars Society Australia, represents a valuable contribution to preparing for humanity’s future in space and fostering international cooperation.”
Protoplanet, a registered ISRO space tutor, is acting as the central coordinating body, bringing together the various national and international collaborators, including facilitating ongoing formal discussions with the ISRO Human Spaceflight Centre regarding analogue activities. This coordinating role is vital in ensuring the seamless integration of expertise and resources for the successful establishment and operation of the Ladakh facility.
Dr. Siddharth Pandey, Director of Protoplanet is a Space Engineer with experience working at NASA and leading and participating in analogue expeditions in US, Australia, New Zealand and India. Since 2016, Dr Pandey has been helping build the terrestrial analogue and astrobiology community in India.
Dr. Pandey mentioned that the realization of this project reflects years of dedicated effort and partnership building. “Seeing leading research organizations and experts such as Dr. Zubrin from the Mars Society and the technical leadership from Mars Society Australia join this effort is incredibly encouraging,” said Dr. Pandey. “Protoplanet is proud to serve as the nodal organization facilitating this significant international collaboration that will bolster the Indian space ecosystem and advance analogue research in this uniquely Mars-like terrain.”
With the foundational expertise provided by the Mars Society and Mars Society Australia’s leadership in key development areas, and Protoplanet’s coordination, the project is well-positioned to ramp up analogue research activities in Ladakh starting this summer. The Ladakh analogue environment is poised to become a key global site for testing technologies, training personnel, and conducting scientific studies critical for future human and robotic space exploration.
The establishment of this analogue training environment in Ladakh is expected to attract researchers and participants from around the globe, fostering international cooperation and contributing valuable data and insights to the global effort for future human missions to Mars.
To learn more about this important analogue project, please click here.
