Science & Tech

First Indian astronaut to space after Rakesh Sharma: Meet Gopi Thotakura – Gopichand…

NC Desk April 15, 2024

Apr 12, 2024, 03:41:43 PM IST

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Gopichand Thotakura setting sail

Gopichand Thotakura, an Indian national, will be among the six members of the crew that will launch on the upcoming New Shepard mission of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin. The company is yet to announce the dates.

Agencies

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First after Rakesh Sharma

With a successful launch, the US-based wellness Gopi Thotakura will become the nation’s first civilian astronaut and the second Indian citizen in space, following wing commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Raja Chari, Sirisha Bandla, Sunita Williams, and Kalpana Chawla were astronauts of Indian origin but were citizens of the US. Although the exact launch date of the NS-25 suborbital mission is unknown, it is most likely to occur in the coming weeks.

Agencies

Thotakura, 30, was born in Vijayawada. He has retained his Indian passport despite working in the US. “A lifelong traveler, his most recent adventure took him to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Gopi is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University,” Blue Origin said in a blog post.

iStock

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Fascinated since 8 years of age

Thotakura told ET his hope that his civilian space flight would open up the possibility of becoming an astronaut to more Indian youth. When he was eight years old, he claimed to have visited a KLM plane cockpit, which is when he first became fascinated by aerospace. Around 10 years ago, Thotakura, who is also a qualified pilot, operated a medical air evacuation service in India. That dream extended into space.

iStock

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Entrepreneur and pilot

“Gopi is a pilot and aviator who learned how to fly before he could drive. He’s co-founder of Preserve Life Corp, a global center for holistic wellness and applied health located near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In addition to flying jets commercially, Gopi pilots bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes, as well as gliders and hot air balloons, and has served as an international medical jet pilot,” read Blue Origin’s post.

iStock

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