Analog Station for Terrestrial Research in Astronautics
(ASTRA-LM)

Station Overview

Project ASTRA-LM (ALM), or Analog Station for Terrestrial Research in Astronautics – Lunar & Martian, is India’s and Asia’s pioneering analog astronaut research facility designed to simulate extraterrestrial environments, specifically those of the Moon and Mars. Located in the unique and extreme terrains of Ladakh, ALM is a strategic initiative to prepare astronauts for future short and long-duration space missions. This station serves as a testbed for advanced space technologies, groundbreaking scientific research, and comprehensive human factors studies. Through its operations, ALM aligns with the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) goals to establish the Bharatiya Anthariksh Station by 2035 and to support India’s first crewed lunar mission by 2040. The project seeks to engage in strategic partnerships and data-driven research, with robust operational protocols ensuring its global relevance and scientific impact.

Mission

To establish a world-class Analog Astronaut Research Station in Ladakh, India, that advances human space exploration by simulating life on Mars and the Moon, fostering scientific innovation, and enhancing our understanding of human factors in extreme environments.

Vision

To develop and operate an analog research station that simulates the conditions of Mars and the Moon, providing a comprehensive environment for scientific experiments, technological testing, and astronaut training, thereby supporting ISRO’s goals of launching the Bharatiya Anthariksh Station by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040.