Draft:Gopichand Thotakura

Thotakura Gopichand (born 1993) is an Indian entrepreneur and pilot who is set to make a journey into space as a tourist. He is selected to travel to space as part of Blue Origin's New Shephard-25 (NS-25) mission, and if he completes the mission, he would be the second from India after astronaut Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma to travel beyond Karman line.

Early life and education
Gopichand is born into a Telugu family in Vijayawada but his family hails from Kakinada. He completed his Bachelor of Aeronautical Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in US. He is settled in Atlanta, Georgia, US. 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,

Career
Gopichand runs a wellness business, Preserve Life Corp, which he co-founded. The centre for holistic health and wellness, has its base in a 1200-acre area near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. 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. During his stay at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University from January 2012 to August 2015, he excelled at training and received awards which included the Outstanding Leadership Award, Good Samaritan Award, and Outstanding Safety and Dedication Award.

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 on other medical emergencies. He carried out over 2000 such missions, including some which transported human organs to save critically ill patients. His experience as international medical jet pilot came in handy during such missions. He supported medical evacuation across 52 countries to help in medical emergencies.

Suborbital spaceflight on New Shepard
In 2024, Gopichand was selected in a suborbital spacefight mission to fly on a planned Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-25. Gopichand is one of the six-person crew selected to travel to space in Blue Origin, a space company founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The others are Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L Hess, Carol Schaller and Ed Dwight, a former US Air Force Captain. The mission is expected to last around 11 minutes during which the spacecraft reaches an altitude of 80 to 100 km above sea level. The crew are expected to achieve weightlessness and return to earth on a parachute-assisted capsule. The launch date is yet to be announced.