Entrepreneur and pilot Gopichand Thotakura is poised to make history as the first Indian to journey into space as a tourist.
Selected for Blue Origin's NS-25 mission, Mr. Thotakura will venture beyond the Earth's atmosphere alongside five other candidates.
A lifelong enthusiast of the skies, Mr. Thotakura's passion for flight led him to learn piloting before driving. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Described by Blue Origin as a versatile aviator, Mr. Thotakura has piloted various aircraft, including bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes, as well as gliders and hot air balloons.
Additionally, he has served as an international medical jet pilot and recently reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Currently, at 30 years old, he operates Preserve Life Corp, a global wellness and health center near Atlanta International Airport.
The NS-25 mission will symbolize the aspirations of young minds worldwide through postcards carried by each crew member on behalf of Blue Origin's foundation, Club for the Future.
From an environmental perspective, the NS-25 mission represents a shift toward sustainability in space exploration.
Blue Origin emphasizes the reuse of nearly 99% of New Shepard's components and the engine's eco-friendly liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuel, resulting in minimal carbon emissions.
The launch date for the mission is pending announcement.
Notably, the NS-25 mission includes former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight, the US's first Black astronaut candidate selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961.
Blue Origin has conducted six crewed flights since July 2021, with plans for future missions and the development of the New Glenn rocket for commercial purposes.
This rocket, standing at 98 meters (320 feet) tall, is designed to carry payloads of up to 45 metric tons into low Earth orbit.