Aberdeen Researchers Tackle Himalayan Climate Challenges Using Space Science Innovations
Bringing Space Science Down to Earth: Aberdeen Team Takes on Himalayan Climate Challenge
Space exploration has long captivated our dreams and imaginations, but a pioneering team from the University of Aberdeen is taking that fascination and redirecting it toward tackling pressing environmental challenges right here on Earth.
A Unique Environment
Researchers from the Department of Planetary Sciences recently ventured to the Indian Himalayas, specifically the high-altitude cold desert of Ladakh. This region, with its thin atmosphere and unique geomorphology, bears striking similarities to the environment on Mars. However, for the communities living in this harsh region, issues such as water scarcity, pollution, energy insecurity, and climate change are urgent and growing.
The team, comprising Dr. Anshuman Bhardwaj, Prof. Javier Martin-Torres, Dr. Lydia Sam, and research fellows Dr. Thasshwin Mathanlal and Dr. Miracle Israel Nazarious, participated in the prestigious Spaceward Bound India 2025 (SBI) initiative. This program, led by the space startup Protoplanet in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims to test space technology in the high-altitude mountains of Ladakh.
Bridging Space Science and Local Needs
One of the key objectives of the Aberdeen team was to explore how space technologies—like AI-powered monitoring and miniaturized sensors—can be adapted to meet the needs of communities in vulnerable, environmentally fragile regions. Dr. Anshuman Bhardwaj highlighted the initiative’s importance, stating, “While space exploration has long captured our imagination, this project is about reimagining space technology—not as distant science fiction but as a tool for tangible help for communities around the world.”
The University’s Department of Planetary Science is renowned for its development of HABIT, Europe’s first In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) payload designed to extract water from the Martian atmosphere. Prof. Javier Martin-Torres noted that this technology, when adapted for Earth, could significantly aid water security issues in mountain regions like Ladakh.
Gathering Data for Future Solutions
In addition to exploring innovative technologies, the Aberdeen team deployed a low-cost monitoring station at Ladakh University to collect open-access data on space weather events. This was especially timely, as an unusual aurora borealis was reported in Ladakh in May 2024. The new instrument will facilitate future studies of such phenomena.
The team’s efforts don’t stop at research. They also engaged with the local community through workshops, school visits, and stargazing nights aimed at promoting STEM engagement and citizen science.
As part of this meaningful engagement, the Aberdeen team gathered evidence for an upcoming Impact Case Study. This positions the University of Aberdeen as a global leader in applied space science for sustainable development—grounded in real-world applications that benefit vulnerable communities.
Conclusion
The intersection of space science and environmental sustainability creates a promising avenue for tackling some of the most pressing challenges on our planet. Thanks to the innovative work of the University of Aberdeen, technology once destined for Mars is being repurposed to help communities facing extreme climatic conditions right here on Earth.
If you’re fascinated by space research and its potential to make a real-world impact, be sure to visit the University of Aberdeen’s Department of Planetary Sciences to discover what you could learn.
For more insights on how space science can contribute to sustainable development, stay tuned for further updates.