Gopi Thotakura Named Among 6 Crew Members to fly on Blue Origin’s NS-25 Mission

Current Context: Gopichand Thotakura, an entrepreneur and pilot, has been selected as one of the six crew members for Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin New Shepard -25 (NS-25) mission.

• This makes him the first Indian space tourist and the second Indian to venture into space after the Indian Army’s Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
• Thotakura reportedly hails from Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada, and his Facebook profile says he currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, in the US.
• He holds a degree in Aviation Management and Operations from Coventry University, UAE, and a Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
• He co-founded Preserve Life Corp, a global centre for holistic wellness and applied health near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• In addition to his commercial jet piloting, Thotakura is experienced in piloting bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes, as well as gliders and hot air balloons.
• He has also served as an international medical jet pilot.
• His adventurous spirit led him to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in his most recent expedition.

Question:

Q.1 Who is the first Indian space tourist?
a. Rakesh Sharma
b. Sunita Williams
c. Kalpana Chawla
d. Gopichand Thotakura