Rakesh Sharma
Rakesh Sharma | |
|---|---|
Rakesh Sharma, as a Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force | |
| Born | 13 January 1949 |
| Status | Retired |
| Alma mater | National Defence Academy Air Force Academy |
| Occupation(s) | Fighter pilot at IAF Research Cosmonaut at ISRO Test pilot at HAL |
| Space career | |
| Indian cosmonaut | |
Time in space | 7 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes |
| Selection | 1982 Intercosmos (India) |
| Missions | Soyuz T-11/T-10 |
Mission insignia | |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | India |
| Branch | Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1970 – 1990 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Service number | 12396 F(P) |
| Battles / wars | 1971 Indo-Pakistani War |
| Awards | Ashok Chakra Hero of the Soviet Union |
| Spouse(s) | Madhu Sharma |
| Children | 2 |
Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, AC (born 13 January 1949) is an Indian cosmonaut and a former Indian Air Force officer. He flew aboard Soyuz T-11 on 3 April 1984 as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. He is the first Indian citizen to travel in space, although there have been other astronauts of Indian origin who travelled to space, who were not Indian citizens. Another Air Force pilot, Ravish Malhotra, was placed on standby.