The world is racing back to the Moon. Then on to Mars.
Terrain that looks like another planet.
Upper Mustang is a Trans-Himalayan cold desert, a barren, ochre-red, wind-sculpted landscape of canyons, eroded badlands, ancient lake sediments and cliff-carved cave systems. Scientists have noted its extraordinary similarity to the terrain NASA's Curiosity rover explores on Mars. At this altitude the air pressure is only 62-68% of sea level.
Mars Desert Research Station
Sits at ~1,300 m. No meaningful altitude effect on the body.
Indoor stations
Operate indoors at sea level. The isolation is simulated, the physiology is not.
MARS-1
The only bookable site on Earth combining real altitude, authentic Mars-grade terrain and true geographic isolation.
Three pillars holding up one platform.
Each programme generates its own value and its own revenue. Each one also strengthens the others.
MARS-1 Research Station
A permanent six-person analog habitat on the Mustang shelf, open to qualified researchers, universities and teams worldwide.
Vyom Astronaut Academy
A certified four-level ladder culminating in real missions at MARS-1. Every graduate keeps a Nepal-made analog spacesuit.
Space Community Nepal
A national programme of talks, workshops, scholarships and a dark-sky initiative.
What we hold to, in practice.
Open by design
Any qualified researcher, university, or team in the world can apply. No nation has exclusive access.
Built on science
Every mission produces data under a formal research-ethics framework. Published papers and peer review are the measures of success.
Safety first, always
Medical oversight, structured acclimatization and no-compromise evacuation protocols are non-negotiable.
Nepal at the centre
At least 30% of all participants will be Nepali. Local people from Mustang will be employed and trained.
Financially disciplined
Each phase is funded by the success of the previous one. We do not build what we cannot pay for.
Four phases, each proving itself before the next.
Foundations
Register the company and foundation. Run site-survey expeditions. Sign land agreements and MOUs. Founding team completes a European analog mission. Prototype the Danphe-T suit.
Build & Launch
Construct the MARS-1 habitat campus. Establish the Kathmandu Mission Control Centre. Run the first AA-200 cohorts and paid research missions. Certify 60+ alumni.
Scale
Add a Moon simulation yard with regolith surface. Enable winter operations. Grow to 8-10 training cohorts and 6-8 research missions a year. Host the inaugural Himalayan Space Summit.
National Infrastructure
Commission the Kathmandu Valley satellite testing centre with anchor customers signed. Open the Upper Mustang expedition programme. Reach 10+ peer-reviewed publications per year.
Questions, answered.
Who can apply to use MARS-1?
Any qualified researcher, university, corporate team, or film crew from any country. We are an open platform by design.
Is it safe to train at that altitude?
Safety is non-negotiable. All participants undergo strict medical screening, structured acclimatization, on-site medical staff and robust evacuation plans coordinated with local authorities and the Nepali military.
I'm a student, how can I get involved?
Through free workshops and our monthly Space Talks, subsidised seats at the Vyom Astronaut Academy, women-in-space scholarships and paid internships. See Space Community Nepal.
What is the Danphe suit?
A functional, Nepal-made analog spacesuit. AA-200 graduates keep the Danphe-T; the station operates a fleet of higher-specification Danphe-X suits for full mission EVAs.
Where does the name "Vyom" come from?
"Vyom" is a Sanskrit word meaning "space" or "sky", connecting the initiative to the heritage of South Asia while looking to the future of exploration.