Gopichand Thotakura
Thotakura Gopichand (born 1993) is an Indian entrepreneur and pilot who made a journey into space as a tourist on 19 May 2024.[1] He was selected to travel to space as part of Blue Origin's New Shepard-25 (NS-25) mission, and he completed the mission, becoming the second from India after astronaut Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma to travel beyond the Karman line.[2]
The New Shepard lifted off from a private ranch in West Texas on Sunday, 19 May 2024, taking six humans, including the Indian tourist, on its seventh human voyage.[3]
Early life and education
Gopichand was born into a Telugu family in Vijayawada, but his family hails from Kakinada.[4] He completed his Bachelor of Aeronautical Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the US. He is settled in Atlanta, Georgia, US.[5][6] Apart from being an international medical pilot, he underwent professional training as a bush pilot, aerobatic pilot, seaplane pilot, glider pilot, and even as a hot air balloon instructor.[6]
Career
Gopichand runs a wellness business, Preserve Life Corp, which he co-founded. The center for holistic health and wellness has its base in a 1200-acre area near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.[6] In 2019, he founded an Indian company, Charlie Foxtrot, that supports individuals and companies with professional private aviation services by hiring private jet charters both for business and leisure. He also provides air ambulances and other aviation support.[7] During his stay at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University from January 2012 to August 2015, he excelled at training and received awards, including the Outstanding Leadership Award, Good Samaritan Award, and Outstanding Safety and Dedication Award.[7]
India's medical air ambulance missions
Gopichand is one of the pioneers in India's medical air ambulance services, and it is an important part of his aviation career, as he piloted Learjet 45XR aircraft to rural towns to rescue wounded citizens or for other medical emergencies. He carried out over 2000 such missions, including some which transported human organs to save critically ill patients. His experience as an international medical jet pilot came in handy during such missions.[7] He supported medical evacuation across 52 countries to help in medical emergencies.[4]
Suborbital spaceflight on New Shepard
In 2024, Gopichand was selected for a suborbital spaceflight mission to fly on a planned Blue Origin New Shepard NS-25.[8] Gopichand is one of the six-person crew selected to travel to space on Blue Origin, a space company founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.[9] The others are Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L Hess, Carol Schaller, and Ed Dwight, a former US Air Force Captain.[10] The mission is expected to last around 11 minutes, during which the spacecraft reaches an altitude of 80 to 100 km above sea level.[11] The crew are expected to achieve weightlessness and return to earth in a parachute-assisted capsule.[11] The launch date has not yet been announced.[12]
References
- ↑ https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/gopi-thotakura-makes-history-becomes-1st-indian-to-go-to-space-as-tourist-124052000282_1.html
- ↑ Koshy, Jacob (2024-04-14). "Entrepreneur and pilot, Gopichand Thotakura is aiming for a place in Indian space history". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ↑ "Andhra-born Gopi Thotakura makes history, becomes first Indian to go to space as tourist". The Times of India. 2024-05-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Meet Gopichand Thotakura: Vijayawada-born pilot to become 2nd Indian to fly to space – A look at his inspiring journey". ET NOW. 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ↑ Muttevi, Sri Lakshmi (2024-04-13). "Meet Vijayawada-born pilot Gopichand Thotakura who becomes only second Indian to travel to space". newsmeter.in. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Choudhary, Puran (2024-04-14). "Even a civilian in India can dream to go to space soon: First Indian space tourist Gopichand Thotakura". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "First Civil Indian Astronaut, Capt. Gopichand Thotakura is part of New Shepard's 25th Space Mission - Aviation World". aviationworld.in. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ↑ "New Shepard's 25th Mission Includes America's First Black Astronaut Candidate". Blue Origin. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ↑ "Meet Gopi Thotakura, Indian pilot set to fly to space as a tourist". India Today. 13 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ↑ "Who is Gopi Thotakura, the first Indian 'space tourist' to fly with Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin?". Hindustan Times. 2024-04-12. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Correspondent, D. C. (2024-04-13). "Telugu Man Gopichand Thotakura Set to Make History with Space Travel". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ↑ John, Nirmal (2024-04-12). "Meet Gopichand Thotakura, the 2nd Indian citizen in space after Rakesh Sharma". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
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