India has reached a turning point in its space journey. With the successful completion of ‘Anugami,’ a ten-day human space analogue mission. The country has, for the first time, validated its indigenous astronaut training, selection, and psychological readiness protocols. Held between July 7 and 17 in Bengaluru, Anugami marks the start of India’s move toward self-reliance in human spaceflight, not just in launching astronauts but in preparing them physically, mentally, and emotionally, entirely through homegrown systems. No longer reliant solely on international partners for astronaut preparation, India is laying the foundation for future missions—including its own space station project—with Indian minds, on Indian soil, using Indian systems.

From Borrowed Training to Indigenous Expertise

Until recently, astronaut training in India depended largely on collaborations with countries like Russia. Indian astronauts had to be sent abroad for specialized simulation, space environment preparation, and psychological conditioning. But now, through Ganex (Gaganyaan Analogue Experiment), the larger program that Anugami is a part of, India is building a full ecosystem for training astronauts right here at home. Led jointly by the Indian Air Force’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), this effort represents India’s vision for long-term space exploration and for building a pipeline of diverse, well-prepared astronauts for the future.

The Crew That Lived Like Astronauts

What set Anugami apart was its diverse crew, carefully chosen to simulate the kind of multidisciplinary teams India hopes to send into space someday. Group Captain Angad Pratap, a Gaganyaan astronaut-designate, led the mission. Commander Rajiv Prasanna, a naval MiG-29K pilot, brought elite military survival experience. Mohana Sai Akula, a civilian space psychology researcher, represented a growing class of non-military, civilian space professionals. For many years, the trio lived in a space-station-like closed module, following tight food, work, and sleep routines, mimicking space missions in isolation. Their tasks included scientific experiments, medical training, interpersonal coordination, and psychological monitoring, much like what actual astronauts experience in low-earth orbit.

Yoga in Microgravity, Farming in Space

True to India’s cultural roots, the training included yoga and mindfulness sessions, adapted for microgravity conditions. These exercises helped the crew manage stress, regulate breathing, and maintain mental balance in confined, high-pressure environments. In another innovative touch, the team conducted terraforming experiments, growing plants using controlled LED lighting, simulating the challenges of food production in space. This is critical for long-duration missions, where self-sustaining food systems are essential.

Mental Health in Space: Introducing ECHO

The Anugami mission also tested a cutting-edge system named ECHO (Emotional and Cognitive Health Observation). Designed to track psychological patterns in space, ECHO monitored mood shifts, emotional responses, and mental fatigue. It could detect when a participant felt stressed or irritable and offered guided interventions—such as meditation, reflection tasks, or structured communication—to help the astronaut regain balance. This is a significant step, as mental health in space is just as important as physical endurance. 

Emotional resilience often makes the difference between mission success and failure during long, isolated flights. Training didn’t stop at emotional readiness. The crew was also trained for medical emergencies in space, from eye injuries caused by floating particles to panic attacks and even limb fractures. Using compact medical kits, they were taught to perform basic diagnostics like ECGs and EEGs on their own—a crucial skill when far from Earth-based support.

Building for All Indians, Not Just Elite Pilots

What makes Anugami a human story is its inclusivity. For decades, spaceflight has been reserved for a small group of elite military pilots. But India is expanding that circle. By training both military professionals and civilians, Anugami is laying the foundation for a more inclusive Indian space programme, one that opens the door for future educators, engineers, doctors, and scientists to go to space. 

With Anugami completed, Ganex will continue to push boundaries. Future analogue missions are planned in submarines, oceanic vessels, deserts like the Rann of Kutch, and the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh. These environments will simulate different challenges astronauts face, from confined living to extreme temperatures and low oxygen, feeding into India’s long-term strategy. Anugami is more than a space experiment. It is a sign that India is ready technically, psychologically, and culturally to send its people into space on its own terms.