Seventeen-year-old Aditya Pandya has set a new record as India’s youngest analog astronaut after completing an eight-day Moon simulation in Dholavira, Kutch, Gujarat. The mission, organised by AAKA Space Studio, a space research initiative affiliated with ISRO, aimed to replicate the conditions astronauts would face on the Moon.
The crew lived in a container-style habitat designed to simulate isolation, limited resources, controlled air, and communication delays, creating a realistic lunar experience. Aditya stood out because he not only lived inside the habitat but also designed and developed many of its systems. Over six months, he worked on air-quality sensors, biometric monitoring, environmental sensors, and digital communication systems, often using 3D printing and rapid prototyping to create essential components.
During the mission, the team followed strict isolation protocols, relying entirely on onboard systems for daily life. They conducted experiments on crew autonomy, psychological endurance, human-machine interaction, and system reliability, all critical for planning future space missions.
Aditya’s academic journey includes intermediate studies in science, mathematics, and AI, certification courses from MIT, and ongoing Computer Engineering studies at the Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar.
AAKA Space Studio said the mission’s goal was to advance India’s analog space research by combining engineering, simulation, and astronaut training. Aditya’s achievement highlights how young innovators are contributing to India’s space ambitions and showcases the potential for future human exploration of the Moon.
This mission not only demonstrates technical skill and endurance but also the growing role of student-led innovation in space research, proving that age is no barrier to pioneering achievements in science and exploration.
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