Blue Origin: Gopichand Thotakura becomes first Indian space
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(Small tidbit: One of the crew member is my close family relative -- so many of us were at launch site and very excitedTIMESOFINDIA.COM | May 19, 2024, 03.41 PM IST
NEW DELHI: Blue Origin's tourism rocket is set to carry passengers to the edge of space for the first time in nearly two years, following a hiatus caused by an unsuccessful uncrewed test flight. The New Shepard rocket and capsule are scheduled to launch during a window opening at 8.30 am CT (9.30 am ET) from Blue Origin's facilities in West Texas. The company's website will livestream the mission, called NS-25, starting at approximately 7.50 am CT (8.50 am ET), according to a report from CNN.
NS-25, marking Blue Origin's seventh crewed flight, will transport six customers in the capsule: Mason Angel, a venture capitalist; Sylvain Chiron, founder of the French craft brewery Brasserie Mont-Blanc; Kenneth L Hess, a software engineer and entrepreneur; Carol Schaller, a retired accountant; Gopi Thotakura, an aviator; and Ed Dwight, a retired US Air Force captain chosen by President John F Kennedy in 1961 to be the nation's first Black astronaut candidate.
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At 90 years old, Dwight will become the oldest person to reach the edge of space, according to a Blue Origin spokesperson.
Gopichand Thotakura, an accomplished pilot and co-founder of Preserve Life Corp, a holistic wellness center in Atlanta, is set to become the first Indian to travel to space as a tourist. With an extensive aviation background, including commercial jet piloting, bush flying, aerobatics, seaplane, glider, and hot air balloon piloting..
... other crew members
The other crew members include Ed Dwight, who was selected by President Kennedy in 1961 to train at the Aerospace Research Pilot School but was not chosen for Nasa's astronaut team despite completing the program; Mason Angel, who runs Industrious Ventures and supports STEM education through his family's foundation; Sylvain Chiron, founder of Brasserie Mont Blanc and a lifelong pilot and skier; Kenneth L Hess, a software engineer and entrepreneur who created Family Tree Maker; and Carol Schaller, a retired CPA who has embraced adventure despite the possibility of going blind.
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Statistics: Posted by Amber G. — 19 May 2024 21:47