The  Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Friday announced the launch of its first analog space mission aims to simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth.

The mission kicked off in Leh.

The mission is the Human Spaceflight Centre, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and supported by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.

"India’s first analog space mission kicks off in Leh! A collaborative effort by Human Spaceflight Centre, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and supported by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, this mission will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth,"ISRO posted on X.

India has launched several key space missions in recent times.

ISRO touched a landmark moment after its third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Moon in 2023.

Chandrayaan-3 lander Vikram captured the historic images and a video of its ramp when the Pragyan rover moved down towards the Moon's surface.

In a game-changing feat in India's space exploration, the country's lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed on the South Polar region of the moon on Wednesday as a nation of 1.4 billion people erupted in joy and pride ending an anxious wait for the moment.

The Indian government in September approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission, an ambitious lunar exploration project designed to demonstrate key technologies for landing on the Moon, collecting samples, and safely returning them to Earth.

In addition to Chandrayaan-4, the Cabinet has also greenlit the Venus Orbiter Mission and the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), reinforcing India's commitment to space exploration.

With a budget of Rs. 2,104.06 crore (approximately $253 million), Chandrayaan-4 is seen as a critical milestone in India's space program.