Rakesh Sharma made history as the first Indian to travel to space, achieving a remarkable feat on April 3, 1984. This milestone came 40 years before India’s next astronaut is set to embark on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). His journey to space remains a momentous event in India’s space exploration history.

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• Rakesh Sharma’s Birth: Born on January 13, 1949, in Patiala, Punjab, Sharma had his early education in Hyderabad.
• Military Career: Commissioned as an IAF pilot in 1970, Rakesh flew MiG-21 during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Cosmonaut Training: Selected in 1982 for a joint India-Soviet Union mission, Sharma trained at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center for two years.
• Historic Space Journey: On April 3, 1984, Rakesh flew on Soyuz T-11 to the Salyut 7 space station, spending 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes in space.
• Famous Quote: When asked by PM Indira Gandhi how India looked from space, Rakesh replied, “Sare Jahan Se Accha,” a patriotic declaration of India’s beauty.
• Experiments in Space: During his mission, he conducted over forty experiments and practiced yoga in the weightless environment.
• Post-Space Career: After retiring as Wing Commander, Sharma worked as a test pilot with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) until 2001.
• Contributions to ISRO: Sharma continues to support India’s space missions, especially the Gaganyaan mission, as a member of the National Space Advisory Council.
• Current Life: Sharma lives a quiet life in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, preferring privacy but still contributes to India’s growing space program.
• Legacy: Sharma’s journey to space remains an inspiration, marking India’s first major step into space exploration.