New Delhi: Indian aviator Gopi Thotakura is set to be the first Indian to venture into space as a tourist as part of New Shepard (NS)-25 mission of Blue Origin, a company founded by Amazon owner Jeff Bezos.
Thotakura, the county’s second astronaut (first civilian) to fly to space, will be wearing an Indian flag badge as he prepares to undertake the exciting journey on Sunday evening. The first Indian to fly to space was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who went to Salyut 7 space station on a Soviet spacecraft in 1984.
Thotakura is flying to space with five other crew members as part of Blue Origin’s seventh human spaceflight mission. He will go beyond the Karman Line–the boundary that separates Earth’s atmosphere and outer space- and return to Earth.
The astronauts will be sending postcards to space on behalf of the Club for the Future, a programme designed to encourage and support the next generation of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) professionals.
“As the first civilian Indian astronaut embarking on this historic journey with Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission, I am honoured to represent India on this voyage. India is making a mark in space exploration worldwide. This voyage is a symbol of the spirit of human endeavour and ingenuity on a global scale. I hope this exploration inspires future generations of STEAM professionals as we push the boundaries of space exploration together,” Gopi, who hails from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, told Indian Express.
Gopi, who works as Chief Operating Officer at Asian Infrastructure Ltd., has a degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA in Aviation/Airway Management and Operations from Coventry University. He is a skilled pilot and co-founder of Preserve Life Corp, a holistic wellness center in Atlanta.
