Table of Contents
Rakesh Sharma Biography: Rakesh Sharma, a Wing Commander, holds the distinction of being the first Indian to journey into space. He embarked on a remarkable 7-day, 21-hour, and 40-minute adventure aboard the Salyut 7 space station.
His historic space mission marked a significant moment in history, making India the 14th country globally to send an astronaut into the cosmos.
Rakesh Sharma Biography
Astronaut Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma is a prominent figure in Indian space history. He achieved a significant milestone by spending seven days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes aboard the Salyut 7 space station, making him the first Indian to venture into space. This remarkable feat was the result of a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Soviet Interkosmos space program.
During a joint TV news conference with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Rakesh Sharma was asked how India looked from space. His proud response, “Sare jahan se accha” (Better than the rest of the world), resonated with the nation.
Rakesh Sharma’s journey also included the honor of receiving the Hero of the Soviet Union award, and he even brought a taste of India to space with dishes like Aloo Choley, Suji Halwa, and Pulao, which he shared with his fellow cosmonauts.
Before his space adventure, Rakesh Sharma’s career took him from the National Defence Academy (NDA) to becoming a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF). He participated in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, flying the MiG-21 and completing 21 combat missions. Later, he served as the chief test pilot at Hindustan Aeronautics and eventually assumed the role of chairman at Automated Workflow, a Bengaluru-based process management company.
In 1982, Rakesh Sharma was selected to join a joint Soviet-Indian spaceflight as a cosmonaut. On April 3, 1984, he, along with two Soviet cosmonauts, Gennady Strekalov and Yury Malyshev, embarked on the Soyuz T-11 mission to the Salyut 7 space station.
During his time in space, Sharma conducted various experiments, including the effects of yoga on the human body in weightlessness and capturing images of India from the outer reaches of space. The trio safely returned after nearly 8 days, touching down in Kazakhstan on April 11th.
| Rakesh Sharma Biography | |
| Birth | 13 January 1949 |
| Age | 73 years |
| Education |
|
| Occupation |
|
| Awards |
|
| Wife | Madhu |
| Children | Kapil and Krittika |
Rakesh Sharma Early Life
Rakesh Sharma’s birth took place on January 13, 1949, in Patiala, India, which is now part of Punjab, India. He completed his education at St. George’s Grammar School and Nizam College in Hyderabad, and he also trained at the 35th National Defence Academy.
Rakesh Sharma Career
Indian Air Force
Rakesh Sharma joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1970 as a test pilot and reached the rank of squadron leader by 1984. During the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, he completed 21 combat missions flying the Mig-21. In 1982, he was selected as a cosmonaut for the Indian Air Force’s joint program with the Soviet Interkosmos space program.
He underwent two years of intensive training at Moscow’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and a claustrophobia test, which involved being locked in a room for 72 hours at an IAF facility in Bengaluru.
As an Astronaut
Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space, making history. On April 3, 1984, he launched aboard Soyuz T-11 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. The Soyuz T-11 spacecraft docked at the Salyut 7 Orbital Station, where Sharma, along with a three-member Soviet-Indian international crew, spent seven days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes.
Their mission included technical and scientific research, with a focus on remote sensing and bio-medicine. During their mission, they conducted 43 experimental sessions. Rakesh Sharma and his fellow crew members even held a televised news conference with the then Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, from space.
When asked how India looked from outer space, Sharma quoted Iqbal, saying “Sare Jahan Se Accha” (the best in the world). Rakesh Sharma’s journey to space marked India as the 14th nation to send a human into space and made him the 128th person to venture into space.
Rakesh Sharma Retirement and After
In 1987, Rakesh Sharma left his position as wing commander. After that, he joined HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) and served as the chief test pilot in the HAL Nashik Division until 1992. During one of his flights near Ozar in Nashik, while testing a MiG-21, the plane encountered a technical issue and lost control.
Thankfully, he ejected from the aircraft in time, which saved his life. In 2001, he retired from flying and settled down in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, where he pursued hobbies like golf, gardening, yoga, reading, and traveling.
Rakesh Sharma Wife and Children
Rakesh Sharma and Madhu are a married couple with two children: Kapil and Krittika. Kapil works as a film director, and Krittika pursues a career as a media artist.
Rakesh Sharma Awards
After returning from space, Rakesh Sharma received the prestigious title of “Hero of the Soviet Union,” making him the sole Indian ever to earn this distinction. Additionally, he, along with his fellow mission members, Malyshev and Strekalov, was honored with India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra.
Rakesh Sharma Facts
- The Defense Food Research Lab in Mysore prepared a special menu for Sharma’s space expedition, which included dishes like suji halwa, aloo chole, and veg pulao.
- In 1984, he practiced a unique form of yoga designed for zero gravity conditions to combat space sickness.
- During his journey, he captured stunning images of India from space, saving the country the need for two years of aerial photography to map the same region. He also spotted a fire in what is now Myanmar.
- Sharma brought along portraits of key Indian figures at the time, such as Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, President Zail Singh, Defense Minister Venkataraman, and even soil from Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, to space with him.
Rakesh Sharma Current Life
Rakesh Sharma, a renowned motivational speaker and space veteran, has authored numerous books detailing his space adventures. He plays a crucial role on the National Advisory Council for Gaganyaan, a part of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which oversees India’s exciting human spaceflight program.
Currently residing with his wife, Madhu, in the serene town of Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, Sharma enjoys a quiet and fulfilling life. Although he’s no longer in the spotlight, he remains dedicated to supporting India’s space endeavors through his role in ISRO’s National Advisory Council for Gaganyaan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Rakesh Sharma?
Rakesh Sharma is an iconic Indian figure who made history as the first Indian to journey into space. He spent seven days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes aboard the Salyut 7 space station during his remarkable space mission.
How did Rakesh Sharma space mission impact India?
Rakesh Sharma's space mission marked a significant moment in history, as it made India the 14th country in the world to send an astronaut into space.
What is Rakesh Sharma's background and early life?
Rakesh Sharma was born on January 13, 1949, in Patiala, India. He completed his education at St. George's Grammar School and Nizam College in Hyderabad and received training at the 35th National Defence Academy.
What was Rakesh Sharma career before becoming an astronaut?
Before his historic space mission, Rakesh Sharma served as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force and participated in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. He also worked as the chief test pilot at Hindustan Aeronautics and eventually became the chairman at Automated Workflow, a Bengaluru-based process management company.
What did Rakesh Sharma achieve during his space mission?
During his time in space, Rakesh Sharma conducted various experiments, including studying the effects of yoga on the human body in weightlessness and capturing images of India from space. His mission contributed to scientific research and international cooperation.
