UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ISRO to test astronaut capability in a high altitude environment

Q1. In the context of ISRO's 2026 high-altitude analog mission in Ladakh, the acronym 'MITRA' stands for which one of the following?

  • A. Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment
  • B. Mission for Interplanetary Training and Research in Astronautics
  • C. Multi-crew Isolation Testing and Resilience Analysis
  • D. Modular Integrated Terrestrial Research Analog

Q2. Among ISRO's Himalayan analog missions, Mission MITRA is distinguished as the first to focus primarily on which one of the following?

  • A. Crew–ground control team interoperability and behaviour under operational stress
  • B. Epigenetic and genomic responses of the crew to confinement
  • C. Validation of a two-module inflatable planetary habitat
  • D. Cultivation of crops in Martian-analog saline soil

Q3. Which one of the following best describes the 'Gaganyaan' programme?

  • A. ISRO's programme to demonstrate India's indigenous human orbital spaceflight capability
  • B. DRDO's programme to develop a reusable hypersonic crew escape vehicle
  • C. An IAF programme to train fighter pilots for high-altitude aerial combat
  • D. A joint ISRO–Roscosmos programme to establish a permanent lunar base

Q4. With reference to the astronaut-candidates selected for India's Gaganyaan mission, consider the following names: 1. Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair 2. Ajit Krishnan 3. Rakesh Sharma 4. Angad Pratap Which of the above is/are correctly identified as astronaut-candidates selected for the Gaganyaan mission?

  1. Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
  2. Ajit Krishnan
  3. Rakesh Sharma
  4. Angad Pratap
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. With reference to terrestrial analog facilities used to simulate spaceflight conditions, consider the following: 1. HERA, at NASA's Johnson Space Center 2. Mars Desert Research Station, Utah 3. Antarctic research stations used for isolation studies 4. Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan Which of the above is/are correctly identified as space-analog research facilities?

  1. HERA, at NASA's Johnson Space Center
  2. Mars Desert Research Station, Utah
  3. Antarctic research stations used for isolation studies
  4. Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Consider the following facilities/missions associated with ISRO's space-analog programme: 1. Ladakh Human Analog Mission (LHAM) 2. Mission MITRA, Leh 3. HOPE, Tso Kar Valley 4. Satish Dhawan Space Centre Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a space-analog mission or facility?

  1. Ladakh Human Analog Mission (LHAM)
  2. Mission MITRA, Leh
  3. HOPE, Tso Kar Valley
  4. Satish Dhawan Space Centre
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 4 only

Q7. With reference to ISRO's Himalayan analog missions, consider the following mission–detail pairings: 1. LHAM — conducted in November 2024 2. HOPE — conducted at the Tso Kar Valley in August 2025 3. Mission MITRA — conducted at Leh in April 2026 4. HOPE — conducted at Leh at an altitude of about 3,500 m Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. LHAM — conducted in November 2024
  2. HOPE — conducted at the Tso Kar Valley in August 2025
  3. Mission MITRA — conducted at Leh in April 2026
  4. HOPE — conducted at Leh at an altitude of about 3,500 m
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. With reference to Mission MITRA (2026) compared with the earlier HOPE mission (2025), consider the following statements: 1. Unlike HOPE, which was conducted at the Tso Kar Valley, Mission MITRA was conducted at Leh. 2. Mission MITRA is the only ISRO analog mission ever conducted in the Union Territory of Ladakh. 3. Both HOPE and Mission MITRA support India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike HOPE, which was conducted at the Tso Kar Valley, Mission MITRA was conducted at Leh.
  2. Mission MITRA is the only ISRO analog mission ever conducted in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
  3. Both HOPE and Mission MITRA support India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. At high altitude, the adaptation of human cells to reduced oxygen availability is primarily orchestrated by which one of the following?

  • A. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs)
  • B. The tumour-suppressor protein p53
  • C. Insulin-like growth factor
  • D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Q10. Which one of the following is the earliest (immediate) physiological response of the human body on acute exposure to high-altitude hypoxia?

  • A. An increase in minute ventilation (hyperventilation)
  • B. A sustained rise in haemoglobin concentration
  • C. A fall in resting heart rate
  • D. A large increase in plasma volume

Q11. With reference to the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) and its role in the Gaganyaan selection process, consider the following statements: 1. The IAM is located in Bengaluru and is an establishment of the Indian Air Force. 2. The initial shortlisting of Gaganyaan astronaut-candidates was carried out by the IAM. 3. The IAM is an autonomous research body functioning under the Department of Space (ISRO). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The IAM is located in Bengaluru and is an establishment of the Indian Air Force.
  2. The initial shortlisting of Gaganyaan astronaut-candidates was carried out by the IAM.
  3. The IAM is an autonomous research body functioning under the Department of Space (ISRO).
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. The HOPE analog mission (2025) was conducted in the Tso Kar Valley of Ladakh at an approximate elevation of which one of the following?

  • A. 4,530 metres
  • B. 3,500 metres
  • C. 5,530 metres
  • D. 2,500 metres