Skip to content
Rakesh Sharma

File:Rakesh_Sharma.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ325205· pop 48· linked from 133 articles

Rakesh Sharma

Sign in to save

Also known as Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, SQUADRON LEADER RAKESH SHARMA

First Indian astronaut

OverviewAI-generated

Rakesh Sharma is an Indian astronaut, military personnel, and aircraft pilot who served in the Indian Air Force with the rank of squadron leader. Born in Patiala on January 13, 1949, he received education at North-Eastern Hill University, Osmania University, and Nizam College. His space career included membership in the crews of Soyuz T-10, Soyuz T-11, and Salyut 7, during which he spent 11,380 minutes in space.

Sharma has received several honors, including the Ashoka Chakra, Hero of the Soviet Union, Order of Lenin, and Medal "For Strengthening of Brotherhood in Arms." He is also an author with works such as *Mann Ki Baat.. Jhooth Ke Sath*, *Quality Control for Value Addition in Food Processing*, and *Integrated Pest Management of Vegetable Crops*. A quote attributed to him states, "(India looks) Better than the whole world (from up here in space)."

Synthesized by Vinony from 25 facts across 7 sources: Wikidata, Crossref, Open Library, MusicBrainz, Last.fm, Wikiquote, Vinony graph. Generated from structured data (not the Wikipedia text) and checked against those facts — may still contain errors.

Person · Open Library

Works
15

Top works

  • Mann Ki Baat.. Jhooth Ke Sath
  • Quality Control for Value Addition in Food Processing
  • Integrated Pest Management of Vegetable Crops
  • Matter of Few Moments
  • Laser Security System

via Open Library + Wikidata

Music · MusicBrainz

Type
Group

via MusicBrainz · CC0

Listeners · Last.fm

Listeners
23
Total plays
78

<a href="https://www.last.fm/music/Rakesh+Sharma">Read more on Last.fm</a>

via Last.fm · Rakesh Sharma

Quotes

  • (India looks) Better than the whole world (from up here in space).

via Wikiquote · CC BY-SA

Key facts

Born
( 1949-01-13 ) 13 January 1949 (age 77) , Patiala , PEPSU , India , (now in Punjab , India)
Status
Retired
Alma mater
National Defence Academy , Air Force Academy
Occupations
Fighter pilot Cosmonaut Test pilot
Time in space
7 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes
Selection
Intercosmos (1982)
Missions
Soyuz T-11
Allegiance
India
Branch
Indian Air Force
Service years
1970 – 1990
Rank
Wing Commander
Service number
12396 F(P)
Conflicts
1971 Indo-Pakistani War
Awards
Ashok Chakra , Hero of the Soviet Union
Spouse
Madhu Sharma

via Wikipedia infobox

~5 min read

Encyclopedic overview

Rakesh Sharma (born 13 January 1949) is an Indian cosmonaut and a pilot of the Indian Air Force. He became the first Indian to travel to outer space, when he flew aboard Soyuz T-11 on 3 April 1984 as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme.

Early and personal life

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Rakesh Sharma” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Gallery (2)