The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has initiated a specialised research mission in Ladakh aimed at studying how astronauts and support teams perform under extreme high-altitude conditions.
The mission, titled Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment), is being conducted in Leh at an altitude of around 3,500 metres. The study is scheduled to run until April 9 and is designed to replicate space-like challenges such as low oxygen levels, extreme cold, and isolation.
Focus on Human Performance

According to ISRO, the project aims to analyse the physiological, psychological, and operational responses of astronauts—referred to as gaganyatris—as well as ground personnel working in demanding environments. The findings are expected to directly support India’s ambitious Gaganyaan programme and future long-duration space missions.

The study specifically seeks to understand how teams function together under stress, focusing on communication, coordination, and decision-making efficiency in challenging conditions.
Collaborative Effort
The mission has been jointly developed by ISRO and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine under the Indian Air Force. Operational and facility management responsibilities have been assigned to Protoplanet, a Bengaluru-based startup.

Importance for Future Space Missions
ISRO highlighted that crew safety and performance are critical to the success of any human spaceflight mission. The ability of astronauts to remain resilient, communicate effectively, and support one another in stressful environments plays a decisive role in mission outcomes.
Such “analog missions,” conducted in controlled yet realistic settings on Earth, help scientists evaluate how teams respond to harsh conditions similar to those encountered in space.