New Delhi:

TV show producer Banijay Asia has tied up with Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) for a reality show to send an Indian into space on a future Blue Origin New Shepard mission.

Recently, SERA announced India as a partner nation for their human spaceflight programme.

“We’re embarking on an unprecedented journey with SERA to create a reality format that transcends the ordinary. It’s a privilege to document this journey of an ordinary Indian space traveller and show how this programme will not only transform their life but also democratise space travel more broadly,” Deepak Dhar, Founder and Group CEO, Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India said in a statement.

The format will capture the drama, disappointment, and joy as the shortlisted individuals participate in various challenges that test their mettle and readiness for space travel, a company statement said.

It said the show will culminate in the selection of a final winner who will have the opportunity to travel into space.

“We will pioneer an innovative and inspirational format by blending the thrill of reality television with the awe of space exploration. This will be a game-changing format showing every step of the journey from selection to space,” said Mrinalini Jain, Group Chief Development Officer, Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India.

“This partnership with Banijay Asia will bring space and science-related content to a diverse audience. We look forward to their innovative approach to transform this historic endeavour into a movement that will not only inspire millions but also cultivate a global dialogue on the future of space exploration,” Joshua Skurla, Co-Founder, SERA, said.

SERA’s spaceflight programme will offer citizens from across the world six seats on a future mission of New Shepard, Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital rocket.

The mission will fly the selected astronauts on an 11-minute journey past the Karman line (100 km), the internationally recognised boundary of space. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

TV show producer Banijay Asia has tied up with Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) for a reality show to send an Indian into space on a future Blue Origin New Shepard mission.

Recently, SERA announced India as a partner nation for their human spaceflight programme.

“We’re embarking on an unprecedented journey with SERA to create a reality format that transcends the ordinary. It’s a privilege to document this journey of an ordinary Indian space traveller and show how this programme will not only transform their life but also democratise space travel more broadly,” Deepak Dhar, Founder and Group CEO, Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India said in a statement.

The format will capture the drama, disappointment, and joy as the shortlisted individuals participate in various challenges that test their mettle and readiness for space travel, a company statement said.

It said the show will culminate in the selection of a final winner who will have the opportunity to travel into space.

“We will pioneer an innovative and inspirational format by blending the thrill of reality television with the awe of space exploration. This will be a game-changing format showing every step of the journey from selection to space,” said Mrinalini Jain, Group Chief Development Officer, Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India.

“This partnership with Banijay Asia will bring space and science-related content to a diverse audience. We look forward to their innovative approach to transform this historic endeavour into a movement that will not only inspire millions but also cultivate a global dialogue on the future of space exploration,” Joshua Skurla, Co-Founder, SERA, said.

SERA’s spaceflight programme will offer citizens from across the world six seats on a future mission of New Shepard, Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital rocket.

The mission will fly the selected astronauts on an 11-minute journey past the Karman line (100 km), the internationally recognised boundary of space. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Gopichand Thotakura celebrates successful mission to space.
| Photo Credit: Blue Origin

India’s first civilian space tourist Gopichand Thotakura returned to the country on Monday (August 26, 2024) to witness a warm welcome in New Delhi. He has set the record of being the second-ever Indian citizen to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, a former Indian Air Force pilot, who travelled to space in 1984.

He was one of the six crew members ofNew Shephard-25 (NS-25) mission by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin.

“The feeling has been awaited for a long time. I am very happy to be back home. It is a very proud moment for India as well. I am honoured to be representing the country…” the US-based entrepreneur told ANI.

He talked about the possibility of more common people visiting the space. “I believe that space tourism is where the future is,” he added.

“The feeling has been awaited for a long time. I am very happy to be back home. It is a very proud moment for India as well. I am honoured to be representing the country and very excited for everyone else to go and do something in the space with Origin or any other organisation.” Mr. Thotakura further said.

“I am leaving to meet my parents and grandparents at home. People around me are more excited,” he added.

Mr. Thotakura was born in Vijayawada and did schooling in Visakhapatnam. He became a trained pilot in the United States, after studying aeronautical engineering.

In an earlier media statement, Mr. Thotakura described himself as the “first civilian Indian astronaut”. Answering a question by The Hinduhe explained thathe would be an astronaut because anyone who crosses the Karman Line — the boundary that separates Earth’s atmosphere and outer space, and is at about 80 km above sea level — is considered to be one.

“I’ve always aspired to go to space. When I came to the U.S. in 2010, this meant either going via NASA or being a U.S. citizen and these were barriers for me. Blue Origin opened up opportunities,” he had told The Hindu.

(With inputs from ANI)