Overview
- Mission MITRA is underway in Leh from April 2 to 9, using Ladakh's 3,500‑metre altitude to mimic low oxygen, cold and isolation.
- The weeklong study measures how four astronaut-designates perform and cope, including communication, decision-making, stress and team coordination.
- Participants Shubhanshu Shukla, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan and Angad Pratap will be tracked for physiological, psychological and operational responses.
- ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre leads the effort with the IAF Institute of Aerospace Medicine, while Bengaluru start-up Protoplanet manages facilities and statutory protocols.
- ISRO says the findings will guide Gaganyaan hardware and procedures and help set timelines for three planned uncrewed tests starting this year before the first crewed mission.