Dreaming of space
We all dream big, but only a few work towards fulfilling them. Others just give up and forget.
Flipping through the pages of science books, hoping to explore the universe of planets, stars, the solar system, and space, seemed an exciting but impossible dream.
For 30-year-old Gopi Thotakura that dream turned into a reality. On May 19, the entrepreneur and pilot, from Vijayawada in south India’s Andhra Pradesh, made history by becoming the first Indian space tourist.
Thotakura flew into space aboard the Blue Origin NS-25 mission founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, soaring to the Kármán line, an altitude of around 100 kilometers.
Speaking exclusively to India Currents, Thotakura recalled his extraordinary journey, recounting his most memorable moments in space, and his inspiring interaction with Captain Ed Dwight, America’s first Black astronaut candidate.
Thotakura, an engineer with a background in nautical science, had always harbored a deep passion for aviation. His enthusiasm for space, which he called an entity “near and dear” to him since childhood, is palpable. Thotakura couldn’t contain his excitement about being the first space tourist of Indian origin.
A memorable experience
“It was the first time for me, and I don’t know if these videos will be released. I think they will be public at some point.,” he reflected. “It might take a week or so, but there was a camera that is attached right next to my seat. And you’ll see me as soon as I unbuckled in Zero G, I started to get to the ceiling.”
Perceiving Earth from space filled Thotakura with awe. “I had a peek at the majestic blue ball. It was not enough for me to grasp, but it was a peek. By the time I got back, turned around, and stood up, I realized how minuscule we are in the grand scheme of things.”
The moment had a profound impact added Thotakura. “The power that one can have by just going up there and seeing the impact one can make to this majestic blue ball will give you all the purpose you need to come back and implement change. And that cannot be described in words.”
“It’s a feeling you can’t describe,” said Thotakura. “It’s a feeling that you cannot put in words. Every Indian needs to go and see what it looks like from the other side.”
“In fact, every human on this planet needs to go and see what it looks like because it will, everybody says this, it changed my life. It was the best experience of my life.”
A six-man space crew
Along with five other crew members, Thotakura set off on the mission from Launch Site One in West Texas. All six members of Blue Origin’s NS-25 team were part of its ‘New Shepard program’ and the 25th in its history.
Thotakura is the second Indian to venture into space after the Indian Army Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
So far, Blue Origin has flown 31 people above the Karman line, the proposed conventional boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. New Shepard is a fully reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle developed for space tourism by Blue Origin.
A legendary companion
One of the most inspirational aspects of Thotakura’s journey was meeting 92-year old Captain Ed Dwight who was seated next to him on the space flight. Thotakura sat in seat number 5, right beside the legendary astronaut in seat 6.
Selected by President Kennedy, Dwight was the first black astronaut candidate but he never got to fly on a mission.
“I had multiple interactions with him (Dwight). I am sure you can see some pictures and some other stuff that will release over time. That man waited 60 years to go to space. 60 – six zero – and he went to space with me. And he came back and he had a big smile on his face. If that cannot inspire the next-gen, then I don’t know what can,” Thotakura said enthusiastically.
India’s first space tourist went on to add, “Ed Dwight was selected by President Kennedy to be the first black astronaut candidate. It just never came to life, unfortunately. But what is fortunate is Blue Origin gave him the opportunity to complete what he started 60 years ago in training. We talk about training for a few days for this flight. And this man did train for an opportunity like this sixty years back and he waited for his dream to come true knowing it would come true. And he told me ‘I knew it was going to happen.’ He is 92 and a half years old. And he went to space successfully, came back. And he will now share his story. And you can imagine how many people will be impacted by it.”
An eco-warrior
However, Thotakura’s ambitions extend beyond this monumental space voyage. During his journey, he carried a banner that read, “I’m an eco-warrior for a sustainable planet.” When asked about this, he explained it was linked to his organization’s mission to unite 100 corporations from 20 nations in a wellness and preventive medical program on a 1200-acre campus, all driven by a vision for sustainability. The banner symbolized his dedication to raising awareness about this critical cause.
The other crew members of the flight included Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hess, and Carol Schaller.
