Come July 11, Sirisha Bandla will fly to space aboard 'VSS Unity' of Virgin Galactic.
The 34-year-old will make history as the second Indian-born woman to make it into space, after Kalpana Chawla, who died in the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster in 2003.
In the flight, Sirisha will evaluate the research aboard the mission, which will also be joined by the aerospace company's billionaire founder Richard Branson.
Sirisha was born in Andhra's Guntur district and brought up in Houston. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in 2011 in Purdue University, and did her MBA at George Washington University.
After completing her studies, Sirisha joined Virgin Galactic as an aeronatical engineer in 2015, and currently serves as the company's vice-president of Government Affairs.
In a tweet, Sirisha said that she was "incredible honored" to be part of the crew, and a a company whose mission to make space available to all.
Reuters quoted Sirisha's 85-year-old grandfather Ragaiah saying that Sirisha had always been fascinated by space.
"From the beginning, she was very much fascinated towards the sky, looking at the sky, space, how to enter space and what is there.
"I am very happy and overwhelmed with joy. My second granddaughter, she is going to space," the portal quoted the retired scientist saying.
Source: Hindustan Times, tribuneindia.com
Photo source: tribuneindia.com, thenewsminute.com
Shuman
Tue Jul 06 2021

Vaara Raasipalan I 24th September 2023 - 30th September 2023
Get ready to discover what the stars have in store for you! Don't miss Raasipalan, the weekly astrology program on Vaanavil every Sunday at 9am.
Subramaniam Sooryapparad I Saravedi Talk
HEMANATHAN I Saravedi Talk
Capt Murthi I Saravedi Talk
Kabil Ganesan I Saravedi Games
Kabil Ganesan I Saravedi Talk
YBhg Datuk Dr. Ravee Packirisamy I Saravedi Talk
GS Tharmann I Saravedi Games
Tamil Amutham_Week 4
Recap of the top 20 contestants of the Tamil Pechu Potti competition: They will engage in a Face-Off Challenge during the corresponding week of the Saravedi Night.
In Week 4, Thamayanthyi and Pugalini competed to win the coveted title. The event is also available on Astro Go and On Demand.
In Week 4, Thamayanthyi and Pugalini competed to win the coveted title. The event is also available on Astro Go and On Demand.
Vaara Raasipalan I 17th September 2023 - 24th September 2023
Get ready to discover what the stars have in store for you! Don't miss Raasipalan, the weekly astrology program on Vaanavil every Sunday at 9am.