“My mission is to inspire every Indian to reach for the stars and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of our planet from above. Once you experience the vastness of space, your perspective will be forever transformed. If I can convey even a fraction of what I witnessed, my purpose will be fulfilled,” proclaimed Gopi Thotakura.
Aviation World Magazine is highly delighted to publish exclusive cover story on Gopi Thotakura, highlighting his remarkable achievement by becoming India’s first civilian astronaut.
A Lifelong Dream of Flight
“You always gazed skyward, yearning to be among the stars.” Gopi Thotakura’s parents affirm that he perpetually dreamed of flight. He conquered the skies as a pilot and, in May 2024, ventured beyond, becoming an astronaut.
Thotakura’s recent voyage aboard New Shepherd was propelled not only by a desire to realize his own aspirations but also to motivate others in India to set their sights higher. “In a nation of over 1.4 billion people, we lacked a civilian Indian presence in space. That has now changed,” asserts Gopi Thotakura.
An unwavering passion drew him more than 8,000 miles from his native India to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. Initially, the university was not on his radar. He commenced flying at age 14 at a flight school in New York during family vacations. An instructor there mentioned Embry-Riddle. After conducting research and receiving encouragement from his father, Gopi resolved to apply and pursue his education at Embry-Riddle, “the Harvard of the Sky.”
Despite skepticism from his peers and the challenges of applying to a foreign university, Thotakura remained resolute. “Everyone in my high school insisted I wouldn’t be accepted. They require exceptional grades and are located so far away,” he recalls. After an extended wait, he received the acceptance email.
“I thought, is this a prank?” He laughs. But it was genuine, and in 2011, he embarked on his journey as an aeronautical engineering student. Thotakura graduated as class president in 2015, delivering a commencement speech alongside astronaut Nicole Stott (’87).
Entrepreneur, Educator, Explorer & Adventurer
In 2015, he established an aviation company in India and a non-profit NGO.The later has nurtured and empowered over 500 students to achieve their ambitions of becoming pilots. “At every educational institution I visited, when I inquired about their future aspirations, no one mentioned becoming an astronaut,” he observed. “It’s an excessively lofty dream, too aspirational,” was the prevailing sentiment. However, he understood that dreams are free and that having a visible role model could alter that mindset. He has remained immersed in aviation.
Over the years, he engaged in commercial jet flying, bush piloting, aerobatics, seaplane operations, and hot air ballooning. His versatility as a pilot is matched by his contributions to medical aviation.
He has completed countless medical air ambulance missions, enhancing emergency medical transportation in the Indian subcontinent. He has worked in India as a pioneer in jet medical transport and rescue, being one of the first individuals to pilot a Learjet across the country and bring Indians back home as a rescue pilot.
When on the ground, Thotakura is a Wellness-focused entrepreneur in the Atlanta area. He co-founded Preserve Life Corporation, the world’s first corporate wellness community—a global center for Holistic Wellness and Applied Health. He harbors grand visions for a community that integrates advanced healthcare practices and sustainable living principles to foster healthy, balanced lives.
Additional entrepreneurial ventures include serving as Chief Operations Officer for Asian Infrastructure PTE and as Founder of Charlie Foxtrot Aviation.
Despite his demanding career, Thotakura is incorporating personal challenges into his agenda. In 2022, he summited Mount Kilimanjaro, demonstrating a combination of determination and a love for outdoor adventure. He plans to scale Everest next. Moreover, he has another extraordinary flight on the horizon—Thotakura intends to orbit the planet and possibly stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
On a Mission
His journey to space was arduous, requiring significant time, effort, and support from numerous individuals, particularly his father. “It wasn’t a solitary endeavour. I must attribute all the credit to my father,” he emphasizes. Despite challenges and setbacks, including a two-year delay to the mission, he remained focused on his objective.
His perseverance was rewarded. When he boarded a Blue Origin flight, he carried a piece of India’s spirit and his dreams in the form of his country’s flag and his representation. The flight was not merely a personal achievement but a milestone for his nation. “Now India has a civilian in space. Now you, too, can dream,” he declares.
” He also carried items emblematic of his Eagle status from Embry-Riddle”
As part of the NS-25 mission, he joined a select crew for a suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line, Experiencing weightlessness and stunning views of Earth. This mission also highlighted Blue Origin’s commitment to sustainability, with nearly 99 percent of New Shepard’s components being reusable.
The sights and sensations of the mission are indelible memories. “The weightlessness was amazing. I could not get out of my seat belt. So people should listen to training—and Blue Origin is meticulous about all its preparation,” says Thotakura. Despite the challenges of adapting to zero gravity, he embraced the experience with enthusiasm. Floating around, doing backflips, throwing some flags!
The space flight was a profoundly focusing experience. “It may sound trite, but you see how tiny you are in comparison to this majestic blue ball.” The view from space reinforced his commitment to sustainability and his drive to inspire the next generation.
The Shock of Re-Entry
Thotakura has been inundated with interview requests and invitations to speak at high schools and colleges. He is a little overwhelmed—but clearly delighted that so much outreach has come from India.
“The day news about the mission aired, hundreds, if not a thousand, queries from India flooded in overnight,” he shares. He received messages of gratitude and inspiration, particularly from young people who now see space as a destination within their reach.
One message stood out to him: “Congratulations, sir, for opening up the doors to space for all us Indians who share your passion.” This thanks came from a young entrepreneur with a 94-page proposal for making payloads accessible for Indians to send to space. “Now I’m going to chase my dream,” the entrepreneur promised. For Thotakura, this was the true success of his mission.(
Flight Plan for a Shared, Sustainable Future
He remains committed to supporting the next generation of explorers, particularly women. His non-profit actively encourages women to become pilots and view space as an option. “Most of the pilots we sponsor are women because I believe that men have the ability to find the money or talk their way through. Some women need a little push because they are often smart, but culturally less assertive.”
Thotakura’s journey from a young boy trying to see beyond the stars to pilot to space ambassador is a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and the support of loved ones. “If you have the power to make change, you should not look at yourself. You should look at whom you can support if they have the potential to do it better than you,” he says, embodying a spirit of adventure, humanitarianism, and a commitment to paving the way for others.
His purpose is not just to reach the stars, but to bring the stars closer for everyone, especially those in his homeland of India.
“Humans instinctively live to go outside. Now, all sky-seekers also have someone new to look up to, as well”.
Thotakura’s Versatile Aviation Career and Philanthropic Efforts Fuel Dreams
Capt. Gopi Thotakura, who recently made history by becoming India’s first civilian astronaut , in an exclusive interview with Aviation World mentioned about his reason of choosing to go to the space , excitement and emotions he went through this journey and his multifaceted role in making life more meaningful.Excerpts:
Q: Why did you choose to go to space? What message will you give to the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs and students?
A: Each morning, we gaze through our windows; every day, we step out from our homes and cast our eyes skyward. From the moment of our birth till we depart, our innate aspiration is to transcend the clouds and look beyond. My personal dream was to witness Earth from the other side. This journey did not merely alter my existence; it endowed it with profound purpose. Remember, no dream is beyond reach, no ambition too distant. Believe steadfastly in yourself, and you will find yourself halfway to achieving your aspirations.
Q: Excitement and emotions would have been part of your space journey? Any memory that you would like to share with us?
A: Venturing into space and beholding the resplendent azure sphere from 350,000 feet is an extraordinary experience not encountered in everyday life. The exhilaration and profound emotions defy description; they must be personally witnessed as one gazes upon our planet from the vantage point of space.
Q: You wear many hats as an Entrepreneur, Educator, Explorer, and Pilot. Which role is more interesting and what Next?
A: To be an explorer is the pinnacle of life’s greatest privilege. Embarking upon uncharted territories and seizing the chance to forge new paths is a profound honor. Being an explorer is to embark upon a perpetual odyssey, navigating uncharted realms where curiosity meets courage, unveiling the mysteries that await beyond the horizon. Let us work together to protect our planet and explore what lies tomorrow.
Reference:
https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/coverstory/richard-branson-billionaire/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2017/10/23/richard-branson-his-views-on-entrepreneurship-well-being-and-work-friendships/
https://www.maxim.com/news/how-richard-branson-built-an-empire-stretching-from-the-caribbean-to-the-cosmos/
https://www.newarab.com/features/anousheh-ansari-building-better-world-here-space
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24732990-800-anousheh-ansari-interview-why-everyone-should-see-earth-from-space/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhessekiel/2024/04/02/the-x-prize-foundation-tackling-earths-big-challenges-for-30-years/
