Leading space policy expert Dr. Namrata Goswami will serve as a plenary speaker at the 2026 International Mars Society Convention, taking place October 22–24 at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. During the convention, Dr. Goswami will deliver a featured presentation titled Mars and the Return of Geopolitics: Strategic Culture and the First Civilization Beyond Earth. Currently serving as Professor of Space Security with the United States Space Force (USSF) Schriever and West Space Scholars Program at… READ MORE >
Topic Area: India
Join us today (February 17th, 5:00 pm PST) for a new Red Planet Live podcast episode featuring an in-depth look at HOPE in Ladakh, India — the newest addition to the global Mars analog community and an exciting step forward in international space research. As a project partner, the Mars Society is proud to support this important initiative advancing analog science and collaboration in northern India. Host Ashton Zeth speaks with Dr. Siddarth Pandey of Protoplanet as well as Dr. Annalea Beattie and Dr…. READ MORE >
The Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE), India’s first full-scale, crewed Mars analog mission, successfully completed its inaugural simulation last month in the high-altitude cold desert of Ladakh. This groundbreaking initiative is being led by Protoplanet in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Mars Society. Situated in the Tso Kar Valley at an elevation of 4,530 meters (14,500 feet), HOPE was purposefully established in one of the harshest environments on Earth. With thin air, freezing temperatures,… READ MORE >
Mars Society joins Protoplanet towards establishment of Mars analogue training environment in Ladakh
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 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… READ MORE >