NI Bureau
Gopichand Thotakura Joins Elite Group: One of 31 Individuals to Venture Past the Karman Line into Outer Space
New Delhi, 12 April 2024
In an extraordinary leap towards the cosmos, pilot Gopichand Thotakura is poised to make history as the first Indian space tourist. Chosen as part of the prestigious crew for Blue Origin’s New Shepard-25 (NS-25) mission, Mr. Thotakura will journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere alongside five other select candidates.
A seasoned aviator from his youth, Mr. Thotakura defied conventional paths, mastering aircraft piloting before driving. His dedication led him to graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science.
Blue Origin described him as “Gopi is a pilot and aviator who learned how to fly before he could drive।” Gori pilots bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes, as well as gliders and hot air balloons. He has also been a medical jet pilot overseas। His most recent expedition took him to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro।”
Born in Vijayawada, the 30-year-old currently heads Preserve Life Corp, a global wellness center located near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Each NS-25 mission member will carry a postcard representing the collective dreams and aspirations of young minds worldwide, on behalf of Blue Origin’s foundation, Club for the Future.
Sustainability in space exploration from an environmental perspective is heralded by NS-25 mission। According to Blue Origin, almost 99 percent of New Shepard’s dry mass—including the booster, capsule, engine, landing gear, and parachutes—is reused। New Shepard engine is powered by highly efficient liquid hydrogen and oxygen। Flying produces zero carbon emissions and only water vapor as a byproduct।
The mission’s launch date is yet to be announced. Notably, the NS-25 mission includes former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight, initially chosen by US President John F. Kennedy in 1961 as the nation’s first Black astronaut candidate but never given the opportunity to journey to space.
Since July 2021, Blue Origin has conducted six crewed flights, with passengers ranging from paying customers to guests. The company is also progressing on developing New Glenn, a heavy rocket for commercial use, with the maiden flight slated for the coming year. This rocket, standing 98 meters (320 feet) tall, is engineered to transport payloads of up to 45 metric tons into low Earth orbit.
Prateeksha Thakur
