Rakesh Sharma

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For other people named Rakesh Sharma, see Rakesh Sharma (disambiguation).

Research Cosmonaut at ISRO

Test pilot at HAL
Space career
Indian cosmonaut
Time in space
7d 21h 40m
Selection1982 Intercosmos (India)
MissionsSoyuz T-11/T-10
Mission insignia
Military career
Allegiance 
1971 Indo-Pakistani War
Awards Ashok Chakra
Hero of the Soviet Union
Order of Lenin
Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration"
Spouse(s)Madhu Sharma
Children2

Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, AC (born 13 January 1949) is an Indian former Air Force veteran pilot better known as the First Indian to travel to the outer space. Sharma was part of the crew of Soyuz T-11, a joint venture between space agencies of Soviet Union and India.[1][2][3]

Early life

Born on 13 January 1949 in Patiala of present-day Punjab, India into a Punjabi family.[4] Sharma attended St. George's Grammar School, Hyderabad[4] and graduated from Nizam College, Hyderabad. He joined the National Defence Academy as an air force plebe in July 1966[5] and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a pilot in 1970.[6] He flew 21 combat missions as a MiG-21 pilot during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.[7]

Career

IAF career

An alumnus of the 35th National Defence Academy, Sharma joined the Indian Air Force as a test pilot in 1970 and progressed through numerous levels where in 1984 he was promoted to the rank of squadron leader.[4] He was selected on 20 September 1982 to become a cosmonaut and go into space as part of a joint programme between the Indian Air Force and the Soviet Interkosmos space programme.[8]

Cosmonaut

Back-up cosmonaut Ravish Malhotra's suit restored at Nehru Planetarium

In 1984, Sharma became the first Indian citizen to enter space when he flew aboard the Soviet rocket

Iqbal that had been written when India was under British colonial rule, that continues to be popular today. With Sharma's voyage aboard Soyuz T-11, India became the 14th nation to send a man to outer space.[8]

Post-retirement

Sharma retired as a

wing commander and later joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 1987, serving as the chief test pilot in the HAL Nashik Division until 1992, before moving on to Bangalore to work as HAL's chief test pilot. Sharma retired from flying in 2001.[1]

Military awards and decorations

Sharma was conferred the honour of the Hero of the Soviet Union along with the Order of Lenin upon his return from space. He remains to date the only Indian to have been conferred this honour. India also conferred its highest peacetime gallantry award, the 'Ashoka Chakra', on him and the two Soviet members of his mission, Malyshev and Strekalov. He also received the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration" from Russia.[8]

The citation for the Ashoka Chakra reads as follows:[9]

Gazette Notification: No.57-Pres/85 dated 7th May 1985

Date of Award: 3 April 1984

Ashoka Chakra citation

CITATION

SQUADRON LEADER RAKESH SHARMA

(12396) FLYING (PILOT)

In January 1982, when it was decided that an Indian would go into space on a Soviet space ship, Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma volunteered for this very challenging mission. After a very rigorous selection process, which included a most exacting medical test, he was selected as one of the two cosmonaut candidates from among 150 highly qualified and experienced pilots of the Indian Air Force. After his selection, he underwent training as a cosmonaut at YURI GAGARIN CENTRE in the USSR, where he applied himself with total devotion and dedication and won acclaim from Soviet Space experts. Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma completed a most arduous training schedule, with distinction and with exceptional professionalism.

On 3 April 1984, Sqn Ldr Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to orbit in space. He carried out all the scientific experiments planned for the joint Indo-Soviet Space Mission and other tasks assigned to him with great facility and excellence. Sqn Ldr Sharma has not only carved out a place for himself in the space roll of honour but has brought glory and credit to the nation.

Squadron leader Rakesh Sharma has thus displayed most conspicuous daring and courage to become the first Indian to go into space.

Ribbon bar

Ashoka Chakra
Paschimi Star Sangram Medal Sainya Seva Medal Videsh Seva Medal
25th Anniversary of Independence Medal
9 Years Long Service Medal
 Order of Lenin Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration"

Personal life

Sharma married Madhu. His son, Kapil, is a film director,[10] while his daughter, Krittika, is a media artist.[citation needed]

Popular culture

A biographical Hindi-language film titled, Saare Jahaan Se Achcha (formerly "Salute"), is under pre-production since 2018.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Cosmonaut Biography: Rakesh Sharma". Spacefacts.de. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Rakesh Sharma". Mapsofindia.com. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  3. ^ "Cosmonaut Biography: Ravish Malhotra".
  4. ^ a b c "Rakesh Sharma". aerospaceguide.net. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  5. ISBN 978-1-4614-3430-6
    .
  6. ^ "Service Record for Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma 12396 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com". Bharat Rakshak.
  7. ^ "Rakesh Sharma | Biography & Space Journey | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d Srinivasan, Pankaja (4 April 2010). "The down to earth Rakesh Sharma". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.gallantryawards.gov.in.
  10. ^ Gupta, Priya. "Indian man has not kept pace with Indian woman: Kapil Sharma - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  11. TheQuint
    . 30 July 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.

External links

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