NASA Spaceward Bound India

NASA Spaceward Bound, a NASA Ames initiative is an opportunity for astrogeologists and astrobiologists to work with students in remote, off-Earth analogous environments to conduct field experiments and engage in scientific discussions with participating students and science educators.  The first edition to Spaceward bound India expeditions was conducted in the cold, high altitude (3000-6000msl)  deserts of Ladakh. The region bears a perfect analogue to Mars and offers several environments to can simulate permafrost regions, saline, and paleolakes, hot springs that have shown to harbor microbial communities, high-altitude glaciers, etc.  I was a part of the first Indian space ward bound expeditions team and was involved in documenting the scientific work and also conducting outreach for students and teachers of the schools situated in these remote regions.