The U.S.-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) has announced India as a partner country in its human spaceflight program. This initiative aims to send six citizen astronauts from various countries into space, focusing on nations with limited or no prior astronaut presence in space.
SERA is collaborating with Blue Origin the space tourism venture of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to execute this program. The selected participants will embark on an 11-minute journey aboard New Shepard, Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital rocket. Prior to the flight, the chosen candidates will undergo training at Blue Origin’s launch facility in West Texas.
To participate in the program, interested individuals must pay a $2.50 fee for verification checks and meet specific physical requirements set by SERA. The final selection of the astronaut will be determined through a public voting process.
“India has achieved remarkable milestones in its space journey the past few years,” said Joshua Skurla, co-founder of SERA, of the program’s newest partner nation.
This announcement comes at a time when India has been making significant strides in the space sector. Notable recent achievements include:
1. Successfully landing on the moon’s unexplored south pole, a feat no other country has accomplished.
2. Launching its first solar mission in September.
3. Collaborating with SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, to launch a communications satellite.
These developments align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India’s space sector. Modi, who recently began a rare third term in office, has been advocating for increased privatization and commercialization of space activities. His goal is to elevate India’s role in the global space arena, which is currently dominated by India and the United States.
The partnership with SERA represents another step forward in India’s growing presence in international space exploration and research efforts. It also reflects the country’s ambition to become a major player in the space industry, both in terms of technological advancements and human spaceflight capabilities.
