Thakkar, the first Ugandan to qualify to go to outerspace
“EAST Africa’s first astronaut and Africa’s secondâ€, Ashish Thakkar says about himself. The 30-year-old billionaire’s contentment is so palpable, it cannot go unnoticed. <br>
By Vicky Wandawa
“EAST Africa’s first astronaut and Africa’s secondâ€, Ashish Thakkar says about himself. The 30-year-old billionaire’s contentment is so palpable, it cannot go unnoticed.
If all goes as planned, the adventurous businessman of Indian descent will go to outerspace this year, an achievement that took Thakkar $200,000 to come by.
He is the chief executive of Kensington, a real estate firm and Riley packaging. Thakkar has undergone space training at the Nastar Space Centre in Philadelphia, USA and anytime soon will make the historic journey to space.
“I came across the opportunity when Virgin Galactic was seeking passengers for a space trip. While at the Shanghai Airport, I signed up, but did not take it seriously. However, I was later contacted and informed that I had been chosen,†he remarked.
He was then requested to undergo training. “The training was intensive, but extremely exciting. Training is crucial because the body has to be prepared to go through about six and a half times its weight.â€
He adds: “The flight’s speed is 2,700 miles per hour and the body has to be prepared or else it could get fatal. Part of the training included breathing right, because if one is not trained to do so, their system could collapse.â€
Having passed the training, anytime this year, Thakkar will take off to space.
“We shall take off from Mexico. I cannot wait. Its unimaginable, seeing the earth,†he exclaims.
He says his participation would promote Africa in a positive light. “We need to change the world’s perception of Africa.â€
He is married to Meera Ashish, a freelance journalist. They have no children yet.
“EAST Africa’s first astronaut and Africa’s secondâ€, Ashish Thakkar says about himself. The 30-year-old billionaire’s contentment is so palpable, it cannot go unnoticed.
If all goes as planned, the adventurous businessman of Indian descent will go to outerspace this year, an achievement that took Thakkar $200,000 to come by.
He is the chief executive of Kensington, a real estate firm and Riley packaging. Thakkar has undergone space training at the Nastar Space Centre in Philadelphia, USA and anytime soon will make the historic journey to space.
“I came across the opportunity when Virgin Galactic was seeking passengers for a space trip. While at the Shanghai Airport, I signed up, but did not take it seriously. However, I was later contacted and informed that I had been chosen,†he remarked.
He was then requested to undergo training. “The training was intensive, but extremely exciting. Training is crucial because the body has to be prepared to go through about six and a half times its weight.â€
He adds: “The flight’s speed is 2,700 miles per hour and the body has to be prepared or else it could get fatal. Part of the training included breathing right, because if one is not trained to do so, their system could collapse.â€
Having passed the training, anytime this year, Thakkar will take off to space.
“We shall take off from Mexico. I cannot wait. Its unimaginable, seeing the earth,†he exclaims.
He says his participation would promote Africa in a positive light. “We need to change the world’s perception of Africa.â€
He is married to Meera Ashish, a freelance journalist. They have no children yet.