Vijaywada-Born Entrepreneur Gopichand Thotakura Poised to Make History as First Indian Space Tourist

Blue Origin, the pioneering space venture founded by Jeff Bezos, has recently unveiled the select crew for its upcoming NS-25 mission, a significant step in commercial space travel. Among the distinguished members of this mission is Gopichand Thotakura, a native of Vijaywada and co-founder of Preserve Life. Thotakura’s inclusion in the crew potentially heralds a groundbreaking moment as he could become the first Indian space tourist.

The NS-25 mission carries notable historical significance with the presence of Ed Dwight, a pivotal figure in space exploration history. Back in 1961, Dwight was chosen by President John F. Kennedy to undergo training at the Aerospace Research Pilot School, becoming the first Black astronaut candidate. Despite this, Dwight never had the opportunity to venture into space until now, alongside Thotakura.

Thotakura’s journey into space represents a new chapter in Indian space exploration, following in the footsteps of earlier aspirants like Santhosh George Kulangara, who secured a seat on a Virgin Galactic space plane. While Rakesh Sharma holds the title of India’s first spacefarer, having journeyed aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 rocket in 1984, Thotakura’s venture promises a fresh milestone in space tourism.

So, who is Gopichand Thotakura, the prospective first Indian space tourist? Described by Blue Origin as an entrepreneur and aviator with a lifelong passion for flight, Thotakura co-founded Preserve Life Corp, a wellness center based in Georgia, USA. His diverse aviation experiences include piloting jets commercially, as well as operating bush planes, aerobatic planes, seaplanes, gliders, and hot air balloons. His adventurous spirit has led him to conquer peaks like Mount Kilimanjaro.

Thotakura’s educational journey began at Sarala Birla Academy in Bengaluru before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Despite his global travels, his roots remain deeply connected to his hometown in Vijaywada, as reported in the media.

Looking ahead, the NS-25 mission marks a significant milestone for Blue Origin, representing the first crewed flight of the fully reusable New Shepard rocket since NS-22 in 2022. This mission follows a brief hiatus prompted by an engine failure during an uncrewed flight in September 2022, with operations resuming in December 2023.

Joining Thotakura and Dwight on this historic journey are fellow astronauts Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hess, and Carol Schaller. Together, they will embark on Blue Origin’s seventh crewed suborbital space flight, offering passengers a unique glimpse of outer space before returning safely to Earth’s atmosphere.