Sirisha Bandla, is on her way to becoming the first Telugu-origin woman in space. On July 11, she will join the crew of Virgin Galactic’s next test space flight.
Virgin Galactic on Thursday announced launch of fourth test flight
Virgin Galactic on Thursday announced the launch of its fourth test flight to space. Sirisha, whose roots are in Guntur district, will be accompanying the company’s founder Richard Branson, as a key member of the crew in the journey.
Interestingly, Sirisha was born in Tenali when the US-resident parents Dr Murali and Anuradha were in India on a visit about 25 years ago. She, however, went back to the US and pursued her studies in pure sciences. “It is really a thrilling moment for the entire family,” said Dr Kanneganti Rama Rao, uncle of Sirisha.
2nd Indian-born women to go into space
The 34-year-old aeronautical engineer, who graduated from Purdue University, will be the second Indian-born woman to go into space after Kalpana Chawla and the fourth Indian to fly into space.
“I am so incredibly honored to be a part of the amazing crew of #Unity22, and to be a part of a company whose mission is to make space available to all,” she tweeted along with a video of the crew.
Virgin Galactic too, shared a photo of the crew with Bandla featuring in it.
In 2015, she joined Virgin Galactic as a member of government affairs and research operations and was later promoted as vice-president.
Sirisha’s father Dr Bandla Muralidhar is scientist
Sirisha’s father Dr Bandla Muralidhar is a scientist and a member of Senior Executive Services, United States Government. He and his wife Bandla Anuradha migrated to the US when Sirisha was 5.
Proud moment for Telugus:
KC Chekuri, from Dallas a family friend of Bandlas was quoted as saying by The Hindu, “It’s a proud moment for all the Telugus across the world and an inspiration for generations.”
