An analogue research station is a place that has physical similarities to a planet or planetary body or extreme space environments.

• Presently, there are 33 analogue research stations with none being in Indian sub-continent. 
  • These include BIOS-3 (Russia), HERA and Biosphere 2 (USA), Mars One (Netherlands) and D-MARS (Israel). 

Need for Analogue sites

• Field testing for new technologies, robotic equipment, vehicles, power generation, infrastructure etc. which are crucial for prolonged space missions. 
• Study or simulate human habitats in such environment and associated behavioural effects – such as isolation and confinement, team dynamics, menu fatigue etc. 
  • Simulation tests are essential as these are meant to be stand-alone units capable of handling all contingencies. 

Why is Ladakh ideal as Martian/Lunar Analogue?

• Geomorphological similarities to an early Mars and Moon: 
  • Dry, cold, arid desert, with abundant rocky ground.
  • Vast flat land devoid of vegetation, dunes, and drainage networks. 
  • Segregated ground ice and permafrost, and rock glaciers. 
• Geochemical similarities to Martian surface: Volcanic rocks, saline lakes, and hydrothermal systems.
• Exobiological similarities: Permafrost (evidence of water in past), increased UV and cosmic radiation flux, reduced atmospheric pressure, hot springs (rich in boron) and sufficient isolation.