Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos, has announced its crew for the upcoming NS-25 mission. Among them is Ed Dwight, the first Black astronaut candidate chosen by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Although Dwight never went to space, his inclusion links a historic chapter to this new endeavor.
Also on board is Gopi Thotakura, set to become the first Indian space tourist, a milestone in space travel. Joining him in aspiration, albeit with a different company, was Santhosh George Kulangara, a documentary producer who aimed for the stars with Virgin Galactic. Despite extensive training, Kulangara may now see Thotakura reach space before him. This mission not only advances individual dreams but also marks a significant step in the globalization of space tourism.
Neither Kulangara nor Thotakura will claim the title of the first Indian in space; that honor belongs to Rakesh Sharma. In 1984, Sharma made history by traveling aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 rocket to the Salyut-7 space station, where he spent over a week, becoming the first Indian citizen to venture into space.
Who exactly is Gopi Thotakura, the man set to be the first Indian civilian space tourist?
Gopichand Thotakura is an entrepreneur recognized by Blue Space as a “pilot and aviator who learned to fly before he could drive.” He is also the co-founder of Preserve Life Corp, a holistic wellness and applied health center based in Georgia.
According to a press release from the Bezos-led space company, Thotakura is not only experienced in flying jets commercially but also pilots bush planes, aerobatic and seaplanes, gliders, and hot air balloons. He has also worked as an international medical jet pilot. A dedicated traveler, Thotakura’s latest adventure led him to the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, demonstrating his adventurous and dynamic spirit.
Gopichand Thotakura’s educational background includes studies at Sarala Birla Academy, a private school based in Bengaluru. He advanced his education by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Thotakura, born in Vijayawada, has been highlighted by sources including NDTV.
What is the mission that Gopi Thotakura is flying on?
The Blue Origin NS-25 mission is set to be the first crewed flight of the New Shepard rocket since NS-22 in 2022. After an engine failure grounded the fleet in September 2022, operations resumed in December 2023. This upcoming mission will include six astronauts: Gopichand Thotakura, Ed Dwight, Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hess, and Carol Schaller.
NS-25 will be Blue Origin’s seventh crewed suborbital flight. In these missions, the spacecraft reaches space but does not orbit the Earth, instead returning to the atmosphere after reaching its peak. The launch date for NS-25 has not yet been announced.
What is New Shepard?
The New Shepard launch system, named after Alan Shepard—the first American in space—features a reusable suborbital rocket system. It’s powered by Blue Origin’s Blue Engine 3 (BE3), which allows the booster to slow to just eight kilometers per hour for landing the reusable rocket section.
The mission will carry six astronauts in the pressurized crew capsule of New Shepard, where each astronaut enjoys their own window seat. The flight does not require a pilot because the spacecraft operates fully autonomously.