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 pivotial 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 an expedition of international researchers as part of the upcoming Spaceward Bound India expedition. He will be joined by Dr Annalea Beattie, Director of Mars Society Australia who has led and participated in numerous Mars analogue expeditions in the US, India and Australia. Her long term interests focus on the challenges for humans living in extreme environments in frontier societies off Earth.
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 Indian Space Research Organisation (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. Siddharth 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. Robert 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 world, fostering international cooperation and contributing valuable data and insights to the global effort for future human missions to Mars.
For more info, contact:
Dr. Jon Clarke, President Mars Society Australia, president@marssociety.org.au
Earl White, Vice President Mars Society Australia, vicepresident@marssociety.org.au
