Why in the News?

India has taken a significant step towards interplanetary human missions with the launch of the Human Outer Planet Exploration (HOPE) analogue station at Tso Kar, Ladakh.

About HOPE (Human Outer Planet Exploration):

• Purpose: Simulates Moon and Mars conditions to prepare for future human missions.
• Developer: Built by Protoplanet (Bengaluru); partially funded by ISRO.
• Location: Tso Kar, Ladakh (14,500 ft) — chosen for its lunar/Martian-like terrain.
• Features: Enables isolation research, tech trials, and crew training; 1 of 33 such stations globally.
• First Mission (2025): Two scientists (Rahul Mogalapalli, Yaman Akot) conducted a 10-day simulation focusing on resilience and mental health.
• Significance:
  • Boosts India’s human spaceflight readiness.
  • Supports goals like Bharatiya Antariksh Station (2035) and Moon mission (2040).

India’s Astronomical Assets in Ladakh:

• Location: Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), at Mt. Saraswati (4,500 m), Hanle; run by Indian Institute of Astrophysics.
• Key Instruments:
  • Himalayan Chandra Telescope (optical/infrared)
  • HAGAR (gamma rays, with Tata Institute of Fundamental Research)
  • MACE (Cherenkov telescope, with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre)
• Stargazing hubs: Hanle, Nubra Valley, Pangong, Tso Moriri.

• Advantages & Recognition:

• • 270+ clear nights; low humidity; dark skies.
  • Declared India’s 1st Dark-Sky Reserve (2022) to curb light pollution.

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