Aditya Pandya Becomes India’s Youngest Analogue Astronaut

Teen Innovator Completes Simulated Lunar Habitat Mission

Seventeen-year-old Aditya Pandya has emerged as India’s youngest analogue astronaut after successfully completing an eight-day simulated lunar habitat mission in Dholavira . The mission recreated the operational and psychological challenges associated with future Moon habitation.

Dual Contribution: Engineering and Mission Role

Pandya’s participation was distinguished by his dual responsibility as both crew member and systems engineer. Over several months, he contributed to the design and testing of habitat technologies, including biometric monitoring tools, safety sensors, and Internet of Things (IoT)-based environmental systems. The deployment of 3D-printed components and a digital twin framework enabled real-time performance analysis by mission control.

Such integration of self-developed systems within live simulations is rare in analogue space missions, underscoring the experiment’s technological depth.

Simulated Lunar Habitat Environment

The mission was conducted in Dholavira’s desert terrain, selected for its resemblance to extraterrestrial landscapes. Crew members operated under strict isolation protocols, performing scientific experiments, simulated extravehicular activities (EVAs), and system reliability assessments. The exercise also evaluated behavioural dynamics, decision-making, and teamwork under confinement.

Analogue missions serve as critical preparatory platforms for future space exploration, allowing testing of life-support technologies, habitat designs, and human endurance.

Academic and Innovation Background

Pandya’s academic trajectory includes studies in science and advanced technology domains. His engagement with emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and computer engineering reflects a multidisciplinary orientation increasingly seen among young space enthusiasts.

Exam-Focused Points

• Analogue Missions: Earth-based space simulations

• Dholavira: Located in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

• IoT: Enables real-time system monitoring

• Digital Twin: Virtual system replica

• Used for technology validation & crew studies