Indian expatriate Gopi Thotakura has made history by becoming the first Indian space tourist and the second Indian to venture into space, participating in Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin NS-25 mission. The Blue Origin successfully completed its seventh human spaceflight and the 25th flight for the New Shepard program on Sunday.
Born in Andhra Pradesh, Gopi Thotakura was among the six crew members on this mission. The astronaut crew included Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hess, Carol Schaller, and former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight, who was selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 as the nation's first black astronaut candidate but never had the opportunity to fly, according to Blue Origin's official website.
The New Shepard program has now flown 37 people into space, including the latest crew. Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President of New Shepard, expressed gratitude, saying, "A big thank you to our astronaut customers for the opportunity to provide this life-changing experience. Each of you are pioneers helping to advance our mission to build a road to space for the benefit of Earth."
Last month, in an exclusive interview with ANI, Thotakura discussed his lifelong dream and passion for flying, as well as the mission's commitment to protecting Mother Earth. He highlighted how space tourism can open new avenues and make space more accessible and affordable for civilians.
Reflecting on his feelings, Thotakura said, "I can't express my feelings right now because it is something that is not in the urban dictionary. It is something I take with me. I always tell people that right from when you are born till the time you leave, you wake up and want to see the sky, want to take a breath, but I want to have this opportunity to do the reverse, to go up there and see down here. Movies do a fantastic job, but to see what the naked eye can see, you have to do that yourself. The whole excitement is about looking back and seeing what's going on without being documented or seen through someone else's eyes."
He emphasised Blue Origin's tagline, "For the benefit of Earth," and added that protecting Mother Earth is vital. "It is for the benefit of Earth that they are seeking life and adventure outside the planet," he said.
Each astronaut carried a postcard to space on behalf of Blue Origin's foundation, Club for the Future, which aims to inspire and mobilise future generations to pursue careers in STEAM for the benefit of Earth.
Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, a former Indian Air Force pilot, was the first Indian citizen to fly to space in 1984.
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