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| Blue Origin's Historic Mission: A Milestone in Space Exploration [Image Source: Patrika] |
Blue Origin, the pioneering space company established by Jeff Bezos, recently unveiled its plans for the upcoming New Shepard mission, which will include Indian national Gopichand Thotakura among its six-member crew.
If successful, Thotakura will etch his name in history as the second Indian citizen to venture into space, following wing commander Rakesh Sharma's iconic journey in 1984. Notably, he will also be the first Indian civilian astronaut to accomplish this feat.
The precise launch date for the NS-25 suborbital mission has yet to be disclosed, but it is anticipated to take place within the next few weeks. At 30 years old, Thotakura currently serves as the co-founder of Preserve Life, a wellness center based in the United States, while retaining his Indian citizenship.
Joining Thotakura on this groundbreaking voyage are five other distinguished individuals. Among them are venture capitalist Mason Angel, French entrepreneur Sylvain Chiron, US tech entrepreneur Kenneth L Hess, retired accountant Carol Schaller, and former US Air Force captain Ed Dwight. Notably, Dwight, who was the first US black astronaut candidate in 1961, will finally have the opportunity to fulfill his dream of space travel after decades of anticipation.
This diverse crew signifies a significant leap forward in the realm of space exploration, reflecting Blue Origin's commitment to inclusivity and innovation.
About New Shepard:
Blue Origin's New Shepard mission achieved a historic milestone with its inaugural crewed suborbital flight on July 20, 2021. Named after the renowned American astronaut Alan Shepard, the reusable rocket system carried a crew of four, including Jeff Bezos himself, his brother Mark, aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and student Oliver Daemen. Soaring to an altitude of 107 km, the capsule safely returned to Earth, marking a pivotal moment in the company's pursuit of commercial space tourism.
Jeff Bezos:
Jeff Bezos, the visionary entrepreneur behind Blue Origin, is renowned as the founder and CEO of Amazon, the world's leading online retailer. With a staggering net worth exceeding $200 billion, Bezos ranks among the wealthiest individuals globally. Blue Origin, under his leadership, has become synonymous with pioneering advancements in reusable rocket technology, aiming to democratize space travel and make it more accessible to all.