In preparation for sending humans to space, Indian research agencies are working on a series of “analog experiments” that will inform the country’s own astronaut protocols.These experiments will also help formulate the under-development psychological selection criteria for future astronauts, and develop training modules to prepare candidates for isolation, stress, and high-performance teamwork.“For India, this marks the beginning of a serious and systematic approach to space medicine and psychology… This helps create a foundation for India’s own spaceflight protocols, ensuring that astronauts are prepared not only for Gaganyaan mission but also longer ones such as living on the space station or even lunar expeditions,” said researchers from the Indian Council of Medial Research (ICMR), which is collaborating with the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Bengaluru where the experiments would take place.Simulating space… almostAn analog mission is essentially an on-ground simulation of activities astronauts will have to carry out in space.The Gaganyaan Analog Experiments (Gyanex) will see India’s first astronaut designates, along with other defence and research personnel, live in a confined crew module and space station. Participants will follow the same routine as astronauts in space, complete with carrying out scientific experiments.During the period of the experiment, participants confined in a static mock simulator —essentially, a model of the spacecraft — would only have access to things that they would in space. They will also consume the same food that has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation for space missions.Gyanex-1, the first in the series of experiments, was carried out in July this year, during which Group Captain Angad Pratap, along with two others, remained confined in the simulator for around 10 days. Pratap’s crew conducted 11 science experiments during this period.Story continues below this adThere is one crucial difference between India’s analog experiments and actual space missions: the presence of gravity. It is impossible to simulate the microgravity environment of space on Earth’s surface. Space agencies such as the United States’ NASA use parabolic flights — where an aircraft climbs steeply before entering into a brief freefall — to simulate the microgravity environment of space, but the feeling of weightlessness lasts only 30-40 seconds at a stretch at most.These analog experiments could not tell researchers the potential impacts of microgravity on astronauts’ health. The most informative experiment in this regard was one undertaken by two defence personnel who underwent a gruelling seven-day confinement to a bed with their head tilted down at an angle of six degrees.Preparing protocolsThese experiments are meant to help India develop its own astronaut protocols, including preparing contingencies for the unknowns.“They are like laboratories where the human side of spaceflight is tested in real-time. These missions allow researchers to uncover challenges that scripted training cannot always predict, such as how teams work under pressure, how stress affects decision-making, or how people adapt when things don’t go according to plan. They help us prepare for unknowns in spaceflight,” researchers from ICMR told The Indian Express in a written reply.Story continues below this adAlso Read | ISRO conducts air drop test for Gaganyaan: why is it crucial to the mission?Key learnings from these experiments will be regarding how the body and mind adapt to the unique conditions of space missions, such as living in a confined environment, working in teams, and the physical and mental stresses that such conditions put on humans.The first experiment has already provided insights on medical and psychological aspects of astronaut preparation. Feedback was shared with the relevant authorities and the astronaut designates; this is already being used to refine protocols under development.By Indians, for IndiansWhile there are international protocols for astronauts, each country needs its own.“International training provides a strong baseline… Every country needs its own data to build astronaut training and health systems,” ICMR researchers said. This is because Indian astronauts may have different physiological baselines and psychological coping strategies compared to their counterparts elsewhere, they explained, adding that cultural factors also influence how teams manage stress and isolation.Story continues below this adThese experiments are thus required to develop “evidence-based protocols meant for our astronauts and our mission”.The ICMR is also working on developing psychological selection criteria and training modules to prepare candidates for isolation, stress, and high-performance teamwork, the researchers said. Another ICMR body — the National Institute of Nutrition — was involved in developing dietary protocols and food needs for the astronauts.Other analog missionsThe Indian Space Research Organisation has carried out two other analog missions.Express View | Express View on Gaganyaan: Sky’s not the limitThe Ladakh Human Analog mission, which took place in November last year, saw the creation of human dwellings in a cold, dry, and barren area. This was to simulate life in an interplanetary habitat, perhaps to prepare setting up base stations beyond Earth.Story continues below this adAnother mission took place in Ladakh, this time at the Tso Kar valley during the first ten days of August. The valley was selected for its striking environmental parallels to early Mars, including a high UV flux, low air pressure, cold extremes, and saline permafrost.This mission specifically tested the Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE) habitat comprising an 8 m diameter habitat module and 5m diameter utility module that houses all support systems (like in the Matt Damon-starrer The Martian).