India’s human spaceflight ambitions are entering a critical phase as ISRO launches “Mission Mitra,” a high-altitude simulation to identify and train ground support teams for the Gaganyaan programme.
Conducted in Likir, Ladakh at nearly 4,000 metres, the exercise recreates extreme, space-like conditions to test how teams perform under stress. With temperatures dropping to -20°C, low oxygen levels, and isolation, the environment mirrors the physical and psychological challenges faced in space missions.
Inspired by historic missions like Apollo 13—where ground engineers played a decisive role in saving astronauts—Mission Mitra focuses on building the “invisible backbone” of spaceflight: the ground support team.
The programme, developed in collaboration with Protoplanet, brought together astronauts, engineers, scientists, and medical teams. The goal was to study decision-making, teamwork, and human behaviour under pressure while developing mission support protocols.
Participants were divided into 2 teams of 12 members, each led by astronauts, and subjected to 4 days of continuous operations involving simulated emergencies, medical challenges, and coordination tasks. The teams were closely monitored for physical, psychological, and behavioural responses.
“Human spaceflight is all about humans, and humans are the most vulnerable component,” said Anurag Sinha.
Key findings revealed that rigid instructions increased confusion, while flexible problem-solving improved collaboration. The exercise also highlighted the importance of human coordination over technology in mission-critical scenarios.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla emphasised the role of ground teams, noting that they interpret signals, guide astronauts, and solve problems in real time. The simulation also included tasks similar to spacewalk coordination, where communication limitations tested precision and teamwork.
Mental resilience was a core focus. Participants underwent continuous health monitoring, psychological evaluations, and one-on-one counselling sessions to assess stress response and team cohesion.
The exercise included support from the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, ensuring both physical and psychological safety.
Unlike NASA, which has decades of experience, ISRO is building its human spaceflight ecosystem from the ground up. While astronaut training is underway, Mission Mitra marks a key step in developing robust ground support systems.
“This is one of the first steps in a long series of expeditions,” said Shukla, highlighting that more such simulations will follow across different environments.
As India prepares for Gaganyaan, the mission’s success will depend not just on astronauts, but on the unseen teams on Earth—trained to think fast, stay calm, and guide every critical decision.
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