Telugu-origin Sirisha Bandla to join Richard Branson's space flight on Unity-22

For the first time in space travel, a woman with Telugu roots will travel to an outer earth orbit, along with Sir Richard Branson who is the founder of the US-based aerospace company Virgin Galactic. Sirisha Bandla who works as Vice President of Government Affairs at Virgin Galactic will fly to space following the launch of spacecraft 'Unity-22' on July 11.

Hyderabad: For the first time in space travel, a Telugu origin girl, Sirisha Bandla is going to create history. Leading private aerospace company Virgin Galactic has announced that it will launch its spacecraft 'Unity-22' on July 11. Sirisha will be a part of Sir Richard Branson's first space flight.

It was announced that Sir Richard Branson, the head of the organisation, and three others would be travelling to space. Sirisha Bandla, a Telugu origin girl is part of this group and got the opportunity to travel in space as the Vice President of Virgin Galactic. Sirisha will create history as the first woman of Telugu origin to go into space.

Sirisha's family hails from Andhra Pradesh and is settled in Washington DC, USA. Sirisha graduated in aerospace and astronautical engineering in Washington. She did her MBA from George Washington University. Sirisha has held several key positions at Virgin Galactic since 2015.

Meanwhile, Amazon Chief Jeff Bezos has also announced that he will be launching space travel on the 20th of this month through the Blue Origin company. This announcement made by Virgin Galactic is seen as a competition for Blue Origin.

The carrier 'Unity-22' is preparing for space travel on the 11th of this month. Virgin Galactic says it is experimenting to promote space tourism. Virgin Galactic has obtained the necessary permissions for space travel.

Sirisha grandfather feels happy

Sirisha Bandla was born in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Her grandfather feels happy for her getting a great opportunity. "Sirisha is going to create a record as the first woman of Telugu origin to travel into space," said her grandfather Ragayya.

Sirisha's grandfather, Ragayya worked as an agronomist and lives in the Piduguralla Mandal of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh. Sirisha is the second daughter of Ragayya's son Muralidhar and daughter-in-law Anuradha. Sirisha's father Muralidhar did his PhD in Plant Pathology and went to America in 1989. He is working for the US government. Her mother Anuradha also works there and lives in Washington DC. Ragayya is confident that Shirisha has the courage since childhood and will return safely after achieving the goal.