(March 4, 2025) His lifelong fascination with space became a reality on February 25, 2025. Growing up, Tushar Shah would stare at the night sky, wondering what it must be like beyond Earth’s atmosphere. That childhood curiosity turned into reality when he boarded Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket as a part of NS-30 mission, becoming the second Indian to travel to space as a tourist.
On the morning of the launch, the New Shepard rocket stood tall in West Texas, ready for liftoff. Shah sat strapped into his seat, feeling the vibrations of the powerful engines beneath him. The countdown reached zero, and the rocket ignited, pushing him back into his seat as it soared upward. Within minutes, he was beyond the clouds, heading toward the edge of space.
Tushar Shah
Floating Above Earth
As the rocket climbed higher, the sky outside turned from blue to black. Then, suddenly, weightlessness took over. Tushar Shah unstrapped himself and floated inside the capsule, experiencing the strange yet thrilling sensation of microgravity. Through the window, Earth stretched out below him, a bright blue orb surrounded by the vast emptiness of space.
The moment was surreal. From up there, borders disappeared, and the world seemed like one connected place. The thin layer of the atmosphere was the only thing protecting life from the darkness beyond. It was a sight that had changed the perspective of many astronauts before him, and now, Shah was seeing it for himself.
The experience was short-lived. Gravity soon pulled the capsule back toward Earth. The fiery re-entry heated the exterior, but inside, the passengers remained secure. Parachutes deployed, slowing their descent, and they landed safely in the desert. As Shah stepped out of the capsule, he knew something within him had changed forever.
View this post on Instagram
The Crew of NS-30
Shah was part of a six-member crew, each bringing their own experiences and backgrounds to this milestone flight. With him were Lane Bess, a venture capitalist and repeat space traveler, Jesús Calleja, a Spanish television host and adventurer, Elaine Chia Hyde, an entrepreneur, physicist, and pilot, Dr. Richard Scott, a reproductive endocrinologist and scientist, and Robert Wilson, a private passenger who chose to remain out of the public eye. Together, they shared the once-in-a-lifetime experience of viewing Earth from space.
A Life Rooted in Science and Exploration
Tushar’s journey to space wasn’t a sudden decision. He had always been drawn to science and discovery. Originally from India, he moved to the United States for his studies, earning a PhD in high-energy particle physics from MIT. His career took him into the world of finance, where he became a hedge fund partner, applying his scientific expertise to investment strategies.
Beyond his work, Tushar and his wife, Sara, are dedicated to philanthropy, focusing on education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. His interest in space remained strong, and when the opportunity came to experience it firsthand, he didn’t hesitate.
View this post on Instagram
The First Indian Space Tourist: Gopichand Thotakura
Before Shah’s flight, another Indian had already made history in space tourism. On May 19, 2024, Gopichand Thotakura became the first Indian to travel to space as part of Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission. Originally from Vijayawada, Thotakura was passionate about aviation from a young age and later became both a commercial and medical pilot. His love for exploration extended beyond Earth, and he eagerly embraced the opportunity to go to space.
Thotakura described the experience as life-changing. “The experience is indescribable, an exhilarating journey of weightlessness and awe-inspiring views. And I didn’t realise it until I got the first glimpse of the curvature of the majestic blue ball, and then I realised that we are missing on something, it is to realise how fortunate we are to be living, standing, playing, sleeping here on this planet,” the Global Indian said. He had spent his childhood fascinated by flight, and in space, he felt a profound connection to the universe. Looking at Earth from above made him realize how small yet extraordinary the planet is. His journey inspired many Indians, showing that space was no longer just for astronauts—it was becoming accessible to private individuals.
India’s Expanding Presence in Space Tourism
For decades, India’s contributions to space exploration were led by ISRO, from the Chandrayaan missions to the Mars Orbiter. The country has built a strong reputation in space research and satellite technology, launching cost-effective and ambitious missions that have placed it among the world’s leading spacefaring nations. These government-led initiatives have inspired generations of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs, laying the foundation for the rise of private space ventures.
Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight in 1984 made him the first Indian in space, but for a long time, space travel remained reserved for trained astronauts. With the rise of private space companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic, that is changing. The commercialization of space travel is making it possible for individuals, rather than just astronauts, to venture beyond Earth. While still expensive, these missions are becoming more frequent, bringing space tourism closer to reality for a wider audience.
View this post on Instagram
More Indians are now venturing into space, not as career astronauts, but as civilians eager to explore beyond our planet. The interest in space travel is growing within India’s thriving technology and business sectors, with more entrepreneurs, scientists, and enthusiasts expressing a desire to experience spaceflight firsthand.
The success of space tourists like Thotakura and Shah is expected to inspire more Indians to consider space as a real destination, whether for personal exploration, scientific research, or commercial ventures. As technology advances and costs decrease, space travel is expected to become more common. Space agencies and private companies are working on making flights safer, more sustainable, and more affordable.
The development of reusable rockets, like those pioneered by Blue Origin and SpaceX, is a crucial step toward reducing costs and increasing accessibility. Some experts predict that within the next two decades, suborbital flights could become as routine as long-haul air travel, opening up a new era where space tourism is no longer reserved for the ultra-wealthy. The journeys of Thotakura and Shah mark the beginning of this shift. Their successful flights have demonstrated that space travel is no longer confined to astronauts trained for years by government agencies. As more Indians take part in these missions, whether as tourists or private researchers, the country’s role in commercial spaceflight is set to expand, contributing to a future where space is within reach for many more people.
The Future of Space Travel
Space tourism is still in its early stages, but it is growing fast. Companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic are paving the way for a future where space travel is not just for scientists and astronauts but for anyone with the curiosity to explore. Right now, tickets are expensive, but as the industry develops, costs are expected to come down, making spaceflight more accessible.
Beyond tourism, these missions are helping build the foundation for future space exploration. They are testing new technology that could lead to longer missions, space hotels, moon bases, and even Mars colonization. As access to space expands, more people from different backgrounds—including more Indians—will have the chance to experience it.
A Journey to Remember
For Shah, this trip was more than just an adventure. It was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. As he returned to everyday life, the memory of floating in space and seeing Earth from above stayed with him. The journey may have lasted only minutes, but its impact would last a lifetime.
Space is no longer a distant dream—it is becoming a reality, and Shah is part of the new generation proving that the stars are within reach.
Read a similar story of Dr. Kavya Manyapu, shaping the future of lunar missions.
