Gopi Thotakura | India's First Space Tourist | and the Economics of Space Travel
Gopi Thotakura | India's First Space Tourist | and the Economics of Space Travel Introduction: Gopi Thotakura, an Indian-born aviator, recently made history by becoming the first Indian space tourist. His brief yet remarkable journey aboard Blue Origin's spacecraft highlights the growing accessibility of space travel, albeit at a hefty cost. This article delves into the nuances of space tourism, the experiences it offers, and the financial implications of such extraordinary trips. A Historic Flight: On May 19, Gopi Thotakura, based in the United States, joined five other space enthusiasts on a brief sojourn to space. This historic flight, operated by Blue Origin, lasted approximately ten minutes from launch to landing. During this time, the spacecraft reached an altitude of about 105 kilometers, crossing the Karman line—the widely recognized boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space. Passengers, including a 90-year-old American, experienced a fe