A milestone in India’s space exploration efforts was marked on August 11 with the conclusion of the HOPE mission — the nation’s first analogue astronaut isolation study. Crew members Rahul Mogallapally and Yaman Akot emerged from the HOPE analogue station, a specialised facility operated by Protoplanet in collaboration with Mars Society Australia, The Mars Society, and ISRO.

The conclusion ceremony was attended by Executive Councillor Stanzin Chosphel and Councillor Korzok Karma Namdak, who welcomed the crew and commended their achievement. Scientists from ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre, who closely monitored the mission, were also present.

Over the 10-day isolation, the crew lived under conditions designed to simulate a long-duration space mission, focusing on human factors, psychological resilience, and operational protocols in a confined, resource-limited environment. The data and insights gathered will support future human spaceflight missions, including India’s upcoming Gaganyaan programme.

The HOPE mission underscores the value of international collaboration and research, offering a platform to study crew dynamics, mental well-being, and technological readiness for future planetary exploration.