Rakesh Sharma
First Indian to travel to space
- Age
- 77 yrs
- Birthday in 79 days
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- Honours
- 2
- Most recent 1984
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Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma is a former Indian Air Force test pilot who in April 1984 became the first Indian to travel to space, spending nearly eight days aboard the Soviet space station Salyut 7.
Biography
Pilot
Sharma joined the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1970, flying MiG fighters and later becoming a test pilot. In 1982 he was selected for a joint Indo-Soviet spaceflight under the Interkosmos programme and trained in the Soviet Union.
In space
On 3 April 1984 he launched aboard Soyuz T-11 and spent about eight days on the Salyut 7 space station, conducting experiments including photography of India and studies in yoga and weightlessness. In a televised conversation, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked him how India looked from space; he replied, “Saare Jahan Se Achha” (better than the whole world). He was awarded the Ashoka Chakra and the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
Air Force career
Born in Patiala, Sharma grew up in Hyderabad and joined the National Defence Academy in 1966. Commissioned in 1970, he flew 21 combat missions in a MiG-21 during the 1971 war with Pakistan. He later became a test pilot at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and was selected from among Indian Air Force pilots for the Interkosmos programme, training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre near Moscow.
Life after space
After his flight Sharma returned to test flying, working on the Tejas light combat aircraft programme, and retired as a Wing Commander. He later worked in industry and has lived a quiet life in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, occasionally speaking to students about his experience.
Later life
After his spaceflight Sharma returned to the Indian Air Force and retired as a Wing Commander. He then worked as a test pilot with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and later settled in Coonoor in the Nilgiris. He has largely stayed out of public life, though he has spoken in support of India’s human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan.
Timeline
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1949
Born in Patiala, Punjab
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1966
Joins the National Defence Academy
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1970
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force
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1971
Flies 21 combat missions in the India–Pakistan war
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1982
Selected for the Indo-Soviet spaceflight
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1984
Flies to space aboard Soyuz T-11
3 April.
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1984
Ashoka Chakra and Hero of the Soviet Union
After his spaceflight.
Awards and honours
-
Ashoka Chakra
1984
-
Hero of the Soviet Union
1984
In their own words
“Saare Jahan Se Achha.”
Did you know?
-
1
He flew 21 combat missions before becoming India’s first astronaut.
-
2
He practised yoga in orbit to study its effects in weightlessness.
-
3
He later test-flew aircraft for the Tejas programme.
Gallery
Connections
Related people
Frequently asked
Who is Rakesh Sharma?
Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma is a former Indian Air Force test pilot who in April 1984 became the first Indian to travel to space, spending nearly eight days aboard the Soviet space station Salyut 7.
How old is Rakesh Sharma?
Rakesh Sharma is 77 years old, born on 13 January 1949 in Patiala, Punjab.
Where is Rakesh Sharma from?
Rakesh Sharma was born in Patiala, Punjab.
What is Rakesh Sharma known for?
Rakesh Sharma is best known for Flying aboard Soyuz T-11 in 1984; “Saare Jahan Se Achha”.
What awards has Rakesh Sharma received?
Notable honours include Ashoka Chakra (1984), Hero of the Soviet Union (1984).
References
- Rakesh Sharma — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Rakesh Sharma — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Rakesh Sharma — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Rakesh Sharma (Q325205) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Rakesh Sharma.” TrackFame, last updated 26 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/rakesh-sharma
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