Blue Origin has selected an Indian pilot for its upcoming voyage aboard New Shepard. Gopichand Thotakura, an entrepreneur and pilot from Andhra Pradesh, has been chosen as one of the select few to join the elite crew of Blue Origin’s New Shepard-25 (NS-25) mission.
As part of this prestigious mission, Thotakura will journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere alongside five other crew members.
Gopi has previously flown beyond the Karman line, the boundary marking the start of outer space, a feat achieved by only 31 individuals.
Born in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, the 30-year-old Gopi currently leads Preserve Life Corp, a global center for holistic wellness and applied health, located near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Gopi's passion for flying and his determination to master the art of maneuvering led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Blue Origin describes him as a versatile aviator, piloting bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes, as well as gliders and hot air balloons. He has also served as an international medical jet pilot and recently set on an adventure to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Each member of the NS-25 mission will carry a postcard on behalf of Blue Origin's foundation, Club for the Future, symbolizing the collective dreams and aspirations of young minds worldwide. Thotakura will be accompanied by former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight, the US's first Black astronaut candidate selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961.
Blue Origin's New Shepard, named after Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard, is a reusable rocket system designed to transport astronauts and research payloads beyond the Karman line.
According to Blue Origin's official website, whether as an astronaut or payload, the brief 11-minute journey aboard New Shepard promises an unforgettable adventure.
Blue Origin's initiatives extend beyond space tourism, including the development of reusable liquid rocket engines and the construction of an orbital launch vehicle named New Glenn.
Follow us
