India Joins Citizen Astronaut Programme with SERA and Blue Origin

By siliconindia  |  Monday, 01 July 2024, 02:07:07 PM IST

India Joins Citizen Astronaut Programme with SERA and Blue Origin
Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), based in the US, in collaboration with Blue Origin, has announced India's inclusion as a partner nation in their human spaceflight programme. This initiative aims to democratise space travel by offering Indian citizens a seat on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket for an 11-minute journey beyond the Karman line, the internationally-recognised boundary of space, at 100 km altitude.
SERA and Blue Origin plan to allocate six seats to individuals from countries with limited or no history of sending citizen astronauts into space. Participants will experience several minutes of weightlessness before safely descending back to Earth on the rocket's landing pad.
Joshua Skurla, Co-Founder of SERA, expressed enthusiasm about India's participation, stating, "We’re excited to have India as part of our human spaceflight programme". He highlighted India's achievements in space exploration, including reaching the Moon’s South Pole, and emphasized SERA's commitment to making space accessible to everyone.
Indian citizens interested in becoming astronauts can register for the programme by paying a fee of approximately $2.50, covering verification costs to ensure safety and fairness. Final candidates will be selected through public voting based on their mission profiles, social media presence, and personal stories.
Selected participants must meet Blue Origin's physical requirements and will undergo training at the company's launch site in West Texas three days prior to the flight. The mission aims to provide an unparalleled opportunity for individuals passionate about space exploration to fulfil their dreams of space travel.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards inclusivity in space exploration, offering citizens from diverse backgrounds the chance to venture beyond Earth’s atmosphere and experience the wonders of space firsthand.

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