ISRO launches Ladakh mission to study astronaut performance

ISRO has launched Mission MITRA in Ladakh to study astronauts' physical and psychological performance in high-altitude conditions. The findings will support the Gaganyaan programme and future missions by analysing crew behaviour, stress response and operational efficiency

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the launch of a mission in Ladakh to examine the physiological, psychological and operational dynamics of “gaganyatris (astronauts)” and ground teams functioning in a high-altitude environment.

The scientific data generated on crew performance and human factors will contribute directly to the Gaganyaan programme and future long-duration missions.

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Known as Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment), the study will be conducted until April 9 at an altitude of approximately 3,500 metres in Leh, simulating the environmental conditions of hypoxia, low temperature and isolation as a natural analogue for spaceflight operations.

“This study is targeted at generating vital understanding of team interoperability between crew (gaganyatris) and ground control teams and the effectiveness of decision-making under environmental and operational stress,” ISRO said in a statement on Friday.

ISRO and the IAF-Institute of Aerospace Medicine have designed the mission, and Bengaluru-based start-up Protoplanet is responsible for facility management and statutory protocols.

“The crew’s safety and performance are the most critical elements of all human spaceflight missions. The ability of the crew to communicate effectively, adapt to stress, maintain psychological resilience and support one another determines the success and safety of any mission,” the statement said.

“Analogue missions conducted under controlled yet realistic conditions are utilised to understand how the crew performs under challenging conditions,” it added.