USA (Commonwealth Union)_ Indian-origin Tushar Mehta made history by joining a select group of space tourists aboard Blue Origin‘s 10th crewed mission. The flight, launched from the company’s West Texas facility, marked a significant milestone for the space tourism industry. Accordingly, Mehta, a partner at a quantitative hedge fund in New York City, was among the six crew members who ventured to suborbital space aboard the New Shepard (NS) spacecraft. The mission, officially titled NS-30, was Blue Origin’s 30th overall flight, with this one being the landmark 10th crewed mission. The six passengers aboard the flight, including Mehta, named themselves the “Perfect 10,” in recognition of the momentous occasion.
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During the live stream of the mission, Eddie Seyffert, a Blue Origin launch commentator, remarked, “This is, in fact, our 10th human flight. It makes perfect sense,” acknowledging the crew’s self-appointed title. The NS-30 mission also marked a noteworthy achievement in space tourism history with the participation of Lane Bess, a venture capitalist who became the first repeat space tourist to fly with Blue Origin. As of this mission, Blue Origin has successfully flown 52 individuals to space, with four of them having participated in more than one flight. The space tourists aboard the New Shepard were not classified as astronauts by Blue Origin, but the company referred to them as part of its astronaut crew on social media platforms. The 10-12 minute flight provided the crew with a brief yet exhilarating experience, during which they were able to experience weightlessness and view Earth against the backdrop of the infinite blackness of space.
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Alongside Mehta, the crew included Lane Bess; Spanish TV host Jesús Calleja; entrepreneur and physicist Elaine Chia Hyde; reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Richard Scott; and a sixth passenger, only identified as R. Wilson. Mehta’s flight represents a significant step for Indian-origin individuals in space exploration, as he became the second person of Indian descent to fly with Blue Origin, following Gopi Thotakura. Tushar Mehta, who holds a PhD in high-energy experimental particle physics from MIT, has a deep-rooted connection to science and philanthropy. He studied physics as an undergraduate at MIT, and his work continues to influence the world of finance and research. Mehta and his wife, Sara, are philanthropists focused on addressing critical issues such as poverty, health, and education. His involvement in the space tourism mission highlights his passion for exploration and his commitment to advancing scientific research.
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Blue Origin’s NS-30 mission provided a platform for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including business, media, and healthcare, to experience space travel. The mission underscores the growing trend of private space tourism, where individuals can pay a premium price to experience a few moments of zero gravity and witness the beauty of Earth from space. As the space tourism industry continues to evolve, Blue Origin’s latest mission stands as a testament to the future of commercial space travel. With participants like Tushar Mehta, the movement towards space exploration is not just about scientific discovery, but also about creating opportunities for individuals to explore the final frontier in ways that were once unimaginable.
