Gopichand Thotakura : India’s Second Astronaut

Gopichand Thotakura is set to become the second Indian to go to space as a tourist with Blue Origin, marking a milestone in India’s space exploration. Blue Origin’s sub-orbital mission offers a unique space tourism experience lasting 11 minutes, and Gopichand Thotakura’s sponsored launch aims to inspire Indian children to pursue astronomy and space exploration. The rise of space tourism is led by companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, offering both paid and promotional trips to celebrities and influencers.

Gopichand Thotakura is set to become the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma, making him the first Indian civilian astronaut.

• Gopichand Thotakura’s launch is expected to take place in the fourth week of April.
• This will be a sub-orbital mission, meaning the rocket will not complete a full orbit around the Earth.
• Previous Indian-origin astronauts like Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams were US citizens.

Blue Origin has successfully launched six astronaut missions, taking people above the carbon line, which is the boundary between earth and space at 100 km.

• The US Federation Federal Aviation suggested 21 corrective actions for safety.
• Blue Origin’s spacecraft crosses the carbon line, providing space tourism experiences for people.
• The total flight duration is 11 minutes, during which passengers remain above the earth at three times the speed of sound.

Gopichand Thotakura, a trained pilot with a passion for space, runs a multi-million dollar health-related company in America and has sponsored his own space launch.

• Gopichand Thotakura was born in Vijayawada and currently runs a company called Preserve Life Corporation in America.
• He has a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science and has run the Medical Air Evacuation Service for 10 years.
• Gopichand Thotakura has a pilot’s license and had a passion for space since childhood.
• He aims to inspire Indian children to pursue astronomy and become astronauts.

There are two ways to go to space – paying $8 million or being a celebrity and getting sponsored by companies like Blue Origin.

• People who pay $8 million can have the space experience.
• Celebrities get sponsored by companies for promotion.
• Blue Origin benefits from the promotion and sees it as a business opportunity.
• William Shutter, who played Captain Kirk in Star Trek, was sponsored by Blue Origin.