SERA invites applications to be an astronaut for just around Rs 200

On Monday, July 1st, 2024, the US-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) announced a partnership with Jeff Bezos-led Blue Origin, making India a partner nation in their human spaceflight.

The goal of this partnership is to provide residents of nations with little space presence—like India—the chance to visit space. According to SERA, the initiative, which is being carried out in collaboration with Blue Origin, is intended for citizens of nations that have launched “few or no astronauts” into space.

For the historic occasion, Indian nationals can register by paying about $2.50 (about ₹209), which covers verification checks. Public voting is used in the selection process to provide voters the opportunity to pick the space ambassadors for their country. Through this partnership, individuals from more than 150 nations with restricted access to space can participate in ground-breaking research and make history while democratizing space exploration. Entry barriers are lowered by the program’s modest physical requirements and training for New Shepard’s flight, enabling more diverse and inclusive participation in space.

Candidates may collect votes by sharing their narratives on mission profile pages and social media channels, provided they fulfill Blue Origin’s physical qualifications. Three days before takeoff, the remaining six members of the crew will go to Blue Origin’s launch site in West Texas for training.

Last month, in an exclusive interview with TOI, the founders of SERA, Joshua Skurla and Sam Hutchison said they were keen on partnering with India too. “…One of the things we love about India as a potential partner country is all of its space infrastructure and activity. India can take a leadership role among other nations and demonstrate its strength and leadership, which has kept our interest,” Skurla had told TOI.

SERA’s Vision for Inclusive Space Exploration

Through this collaboration, Indian nationals will be able to take part in Blue Origin’s next mission, which will include traveling over the Karman line—an internationally acknowledged barrier marking 100 kilometers above Earth—for 11 minutes onboard the reusable rocket New Shepard. Phil Joyce, SVP of New Shepard, emphasized, “This program exemplifies our commitment to making space accessible to everyone.”

India is among the nations from whom SERA and Blue Origin hope to provide six seats to citizens of nations that have neither sent many nor any citizen astronauts into space. The astronauts will witness a few minutes of weightlessness before making a controlled descent back to the landing pad.

SERA will offer six seats on Blue Origin’s New Shepard, a reusable suborbital rocket, to citizens from across the globe. “We’re excited to have India as part of our human spaceflight program,” said Joshua Skurla, co-founder of SERA. “India has achieved remarkable milestones in its space journey the past few years, including becoming the first country to reach the Moon’s south pole region. We want to make space accessible for everyone and are happy to offer this unique opportunity to an Indian citizen who wants to experience the wonders of space travel.”

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