Rakesh Sharma

Cosmonaut

Indian Patiala, Punjab, India

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Quick Info

ProfessionCosmonaut
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth13/01/1949
Age77 years
BirthplacePatiala, Punjab, India

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Bio/Wiki

Famous ForBeing the first Indian citizen to travel in Space

Physical Stats & More

Height168 cm
Weight75 kg
Eye ColorLight Brown
Hair ColorWhite

Educational Qualification(s)

School
  • St. Ann's High School, Secunderabad
  • St. Georges Grammar School, Hyderabad
College/University
  • Nizam College, Hyderabad
  • National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla, Pune
Educational QualificationNot Known

Personal Life

ReligionHinduism
CasteGaur Brahmin

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Wife/SpouseMadhu (Interior Decorator)
Children
  • Kapil Sharma (Film Director)
  • Mansi (died at the age of six)
  • Krittika Sharma (a Senior Design Associate & Behaviour Architect)

Family

FatherDevendranath Sharma
MotherTripata Sharma
SpouseMadhu
Children

Career

Defence Services
Service/BranchIndian Air Force
RankWing Commander
Service Years1970-1987
Awards, Honours
  • Ashok Chakra
  • Paschimi Star
  • Sangram Medal
  • Sainya Seva Medal
  • Videsh Seva Service Medal
  • 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal
  • 9 Years Long Service Medal
  • Hero of the Soviet Union
Space Mission
MissionSoyuz T-11
Selection1982
Joined Asa Cosmonaut
Time Spent in Space7 days 21 hours and 40 minutes
Launch Date03/04/1984
DockingSalyut 7
CrewYury Malyshev (Commander), Gennady Strekalov (Flight Engineer)
Post-Retirement
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)Chief Test Pilot (1987-2001)
Current RoleMember, National Space Advisory Council (for Gaganyaan mission)

Favourites

CosmonautYuri Gagrin
Holiday DestinationNilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Rakesh Sharma's family roots trace back to Multan, West Punjab, now in modern-day Pakistan.
2. During Rakesh Sharma's time with HAL, he had a near-death experience when a MIG-21 fighter jet he was piloting went out of control.
3. After retiring, Rakesh Sharma chose to live a more peaceful life in Coonoor, moving away from the busy city life.
4. Kapil Sharma, Rakesh Sharma's son, has found success as a Bollywood movie director.
5. During the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, he flew 21 combat missions in a MiG-21 fighter jet.
6. While in space, when asked by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi how India looked from space, he replied 'Sare Jahan Se Accha' (better than the whole world).
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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