Rakesh Sharma has written one of the most important chapters in the history of India. He is the first Indian citizen to step into space. He was serving as a pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF) when he decided to participate in the Soviet-Indian space flight. Astronaut Rakesh Sharma spent seven days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes in space with two Soviet passengers.
Introduction of Rakesh Sharma
| Introduction point | Introduction |
| Full Name | Rakesh Sharma |
| Birth | 13 January 1949 |
| Birth Place | Patiala Punjab |
| Profession | Astronaut, Indian Air Force Pilot |
| Age | 75 |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Hyderabad |
| Caste | Brahmin |
| Famous for | First Indian to go to space |
| stay in space | 7 days 21 hours 40 minutes |
| Hobbies | Walking, reading, yoga |
| Marital Status | married |
| The main award | Ashok Chakra · Sangram Medal · Videsh Seva Service Medal · 9 Years Long Service Medal · Hero of the Soviet Union |
Rakesh Sharma early life
Rakesh Sharma was born on 13 January 1946 in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Rakesh has been interested in science since childhood. It was his habit to make broken things and keep a close eye on electronic things. When Rakesh grew up, he used to watch the airplane flying in the sky until it disappeared from his sight. Soon the desire to fly in the sky arose in Rakesh’s mind and he started moving towards that. Rakesh graduated from Osmania University, Hyderabad.
Rakesh Sharma’s wife and children
Rakesh Sharma is married to Madhu and has two children – Kapil and Kritika. His son Kapil is a film director while his daughter Kritika is a media artist.
Rakesh Sharma career
Rakesh Sharma, who passed NDA in 1966 and became an Indian Air Force cadet, joined the Indian Air Force in 1970. During the India-Pakistan war of 1971, Rakesh Sharma achieved significant success with his aircraft “Ming Air Craft”. After this war, Rakesh Sharma came to Chacho and people praised him for his abilities.
In 1984, Rakesh Sharma stayed in space for eight days as part of a joint space mission of the Indian Space Research Organization and the Soviet Union’s Intercosmic Programme. He was a squadron leader and pilot of the Indian Air Force at that time. On April 3, 1974, Rakesh Sharma was launched aboard Soyuz T-11 along with two other Soviet cosmonauts. He was the first person from India and the 137th person in the world to go to space. During his space flight, the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi asked Rakesh Sharma, how does India look from space?
Rakesh Sharma replied, “Saare Jahan Se Achcha This question of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from the earth and this answer of Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma from the Russian spacecraft in space had thrilled every Indian.
Rakesh Sharma achievements
The Government of India honored him with the Ashoka Chakra. After retirement from the post of Wing Commander, Rakesh Sharma worked as a test pilot in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. In November 2006, he participated in a committee of the Indian Space Research Organization that approved a new Indian spaceflight program.