News > A look at childhood photographs of Indian-American astronaut Sirisha Bandla before she zooms off into space

A look at childhood photographs of Indian-American astronaut Sirisha Bandla before she zooms off into space

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson is flying into space on board the first fully crewed flight with hree crew mates and two pilots. One of these crewmates is Sirisha Bandla, vice president of government affairs and research operations for Virgin Galactic.

The 33-year-old, born in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, is the second Indian-born woman in space and the fourth Indian to ever achieve the feat after Rakesh Sharma, Kalpana Chawla and Indian-American Sunita Williams.