AAKA Space Studio, a
space research and simulation organisation and a registered ISRO Space Tutor
working on planetary analog environments, successfully conducted a
lunar-habitat-inspired analog astronaut mission designed to simulate isolation,
habitat living, and autonomous operations under Moon-like conditions. The
mission was carried out from 1st February to 8th February . in the white plains
of Dholavira, Kutch.
The mission involved a
four-member analog astronaut crew, who lived together inside a container-based
lunar analog habitat for the full mission duration. Among them was Aditya
Pandya (17), who has now become India’s youngest male analog astronaut, while
also serving as the lead for the mission’s hardware, IoT, and habitat
intelligence systems.
The lunar analog
habitat was engineered to replicate the physical and operational constraints of
a Moon-like environment. It incorporated a digital twin framework, enabling
real-time synchronisation between the physical habitat and mission control
systems, allowing continuous monitoring and post-mission analysis of habitat
and crew parameters.
Aditya, as a core
technical team member, had been involved in building and developing the
mission’s technology stack over the six months leading up to the mission. His work
included the design, development, and integration of key systems such as:
●Internal and external
sensor modules for continuous environmental monitoring
●Astronaut biometric
systems to track physiological parameters of the crew
●Embedded hardware for
habitat health, safety, and fault detection
●A centralized mission
control system for real-time telemetry and diagnostics
●Modular hardware
components developed using 3D printing and rapid prototyping
Throughout the mission,
the four-member crew remained in strict isolation, operating under predefined
protocols similar to planetary missions. The mission focused on experiments
related to long-duration confinement, crew autonomy, system reliability, and
human machine interaction inside confined habitats.
Notably, Aditya was not
only responsible for designing and building the habitat’s technological
infrastructure but was also one of the astronauts residing inside the habitat,
validating the systems he engineered under real operational stress throughout
the nine-day mission.
According to AAKA Space
Studio, the lunar analog mission was aimed at strengthening India’s analog
research ecosystem by combining hands-on engineering, simulation science, and
experiential astronaut training, aligned with future human spaceflight and
planetary habitation requirements.
Aditya’s dual role: as
both system architect and analog astronaut, reflects a new model of space
training, where young engineers actively build, test, and inhabit the systems
designed for extraterrestrial exploration.
