Indian origin scientist Gopi Thotakura has created history. Gopi Thotakura became the first Indian space tourist and second Indian to reach space as part of the crew of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission. Let us tell you that Blue Origin on Sunday successfully completed its 7th human space flight and 25th flight for the New Shepard program.
Was born in Andhra Pradesh
The five other crew included Andhra Pradesh-born Gopi Thotakura, Blue Origin’s official website said. Apart from Gopi Thotakura, the Electronaut crew includes Mason Engel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hayes, Carroll Scholar, and former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight, who was nominated in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy was selected as the nation’s first black astronaut candidate, but he missed the opportunity to fly.
37 people have gone so far
Let us inform you that apart from this, New Shepard has so far sent 37 people to space, which includes this team. “A big thank you to our astronaut customers for the opportunity to have a life-changing experience,” said Phil Joyce, senior vice president of New Shepard. Joyce added, “Each of you is a leader in helping advance our mission to pave the way to space for the benefit of Earth.”
‘I want a chance to do the opposite’
Last month, in an interview with ANI, Thotakura had talked about his dream and passion for flying and how the mission is working to protect Mother Earth. He further talked about space tourism and how it can open up avenues for people and make it affordable and accessible.
Explaining his feelings, he had said, “I can’t express my feelings right now because it’s something that’s not in the urban dictionary. It’s something that I carry with me. I always tell people that From the time you’re born to the time you wake up, you wake up and want to see the sky, want to breathe, but I want the opportunity to do the opposite, get the opportunity to go up there and look down here But what the naked eye can see, you have to do it yourself. The whole excitement is about looking back and seeing what’s happening, without documentation or someone else’s eyes.”
‘For the Benefit of Earth’
He emphasized Blue Origin’s tagline, ‘For the Benefit of Earth’ and said he also feels it is important to protect Mother Earth. He said, “They are searching for life and adventure outside the planet only to protect Mother Earth.” In addition, each astronaut took to space a postcard from Blue Origin’s foundation, Club for the Future. The club’s mission is to inspire and motivate future generations to pursue careers in STEAM for the benefit of the Earth. Before this, former Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian citizen to fly in space in the year 1984.
