Leh, Aug. 2 -- In a major step forward for India's planetary exploration ambitions, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has established the Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE) in Ladakh's Tso Kar Valley, media reports said.

Designed as a Mars-like analogue site, the facility will be used to test life-support technologies and mission protocols for future Moon and Mars expeditions, NDTV reported.

The station was inaugurated on July 31 by ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan. Spearheaded by ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre, the HOPE project is being carried out in collaboration with an industry partner and leading Indian research institutes.

The outpost consists of two modules - an eight-metre-wide living space for crew a...