Gopichand Thotakura Will be 1st Indian to Reach Space as a Tourist

New Delhi: Pilot Gopichand Thotakura is set to become the first Indian to travel to space as a tourist.

He has been selected as part of the elite crew for Blue Origin’s New Shephard-25 (NS-25) mission. Thotakura along with five others will travel to space beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. Gopichand Thotakura, an entrepreneur and pilot, joins a distinguished lineup of 31 candidates who have flown beyond the Karman line, the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.

Describing him, Blue Origins wrote, “Gopi is a pilot and aviator who learned how to fly before he could drive. Gopi pilots bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes, as well as gliders and hot air balloons, and has served as an international medical jet pilot. A lifelong traveler, his most recent adventure took him to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.”

#NewShepard #NS25 crew will include Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Ed Dwight, Ken Hess, Carol Schaller, and Gopi Thotakura. Read more 🚀: https://t.co/KbAJkbRTvj pic.twitter.com/8QBFYPJkYj

— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 4, 2024

Born in Vijayawada, the 30-year-old currently runs Preserve Life Corp, a global center for holistic wellness and applied health located near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.