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Rakesh Sharma Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 6, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth13 January 1949

Age71 Years (as of 2020)

BirthplacePatiala, Punjab, India

ProfessionFormer Indian Air Force Pilot, Cosmonaut

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseMadhu

FamilySon - Kapil Sharma; Daughters - Mansi (deceased), Krittika Sharma

Rakesh Sharma Biography

Rakesh Sharma is a former Indian Air Force pilot and the first Indian citizen to travel to space. He flew aboard Soyuz T-11 to the Salyut 7 space station,ф

Early life and background

Rakesh Sharma was born on 13 January 1949 in Patiala, Punjab. He grew up in a Punjabi family with ancestral roots in what is now Pakistan. Sharma attended St. Ann's High School in Secunderabad and St. George's Grammar School in Hyderabad before moving on to Nizam College in Hyderabad and later the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla, Pune.

He joined the Indian Air Force as a cadet at 18 and completed his training at the National Defence Academy. Commissioned as a test pilot in 1970, Sharma developed an early and lasting interest in space exploration that shaped his later career.

Career

Sharma served in the Indian Air Force from 1970 until his retirement in 1987, rising to the rank of Wing Commander. During his service he worked as a test pilot and progressed through several operational and leadership roles. In 1982 he was selected for cosmonaut training as part of a joint Indo–Soviet program; he and fellow IAF officer Ravish Malhotra were initially named for the mission, and after further selection Sharma became India’s sole representative.

He trained for roughly three years, which included both technical preparation and language training in Russian. His training also involved physiological testing; for example, he underwent confinement and other endurance evaluations as part of qualification for flight.

On 2 April 1984 Sharma launched from Baikonur aboard Soyuz T-11 alongside commander Yury Malyshev and flight engineer Gennadi Strekalov. He spent 7 days, 21 hours and 40 minutes in space aboard the Salyut 7 orbital station. While on Salyut 7 he conducted experiments principally in biomedicine and remote sensing, along with life‑sciences and materials processing work. He also performed yoga in orbit as a countermeasure to the effects of prolonged weightlessness.

After returning to Earth he became a nationally and internationally recognized figure. Sharma continued his career in aviation after leaving the Air Force, taking a position at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in the Nashik division where he served as Chief Test Pilot until 1992. During his test‑pilot career he survived an in‑flight emergency while flying a MiG‑21 and ejected to safety.

Public profile

Sharma’s flight made him the first Indian citizen to travel in space and brought widespread attention in India. During his mission a live exchange with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi produced a memorable response when she asked how India appeared from orbit. After his return, he participated in interviews, public lectures and press events, and received multiple decorations and awards over his career, including national honours and recognition from the Soviet Union.

Despite the public recognition, Sharma later chose a quieter life. He retired from active aviation roles and settled in the Nilgiri Hills, living in Coonoor. He has described a long-standing affection for the region dating back to his teenage years.

Personal life

Sharma is married to Madhu, an interior decorator. The couple’s children include son Kapil Sharma, who has worked as a film director, and daughter Krittika Sharma, a senior design associate and behaviour architect. They had another daughter, Mansi, who died at age six. Sharma’s parents are named Devendranath Sharma and Tripata Sharma.

He lists hobbies such as gardening, travel, reading, golf and yoga. His hometown is given as Hyderabad and his nationality is Indian.

Latest updates

After leaving the Air Force in 1987 and HAL in 1992, Sharma has kept a relatively private life in the hills. Reports indicate a biopic about his life has been in development in the Indian film industry. His legacy remains tied to his role as India’s first citizen in space and to the scientific work he performed during the Soyuz T‑11 mission.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Rakesh Sharma, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Soyuz T-11 / Salyut 7 mission

Crew member on a 7 day, 21 hour and 40 minute flight conducting experiments in biomedicine, remote sensing and materials processing.

1984
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Career Highlights

  1. First Indian citizen to travel in space
  2. Indian Air Force Wing Commander and test pilot
  3. Crew member of Soyuz T-11 to Salyut 7
  4. Chief Test Pilot, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (Nashik)
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Rakesh Sharma born?

Rakesh Sharma was born on 13 January 1949.

What is Rakesh Sharma known for?

Rakesh Sharma is known for former Indian Air Force Pilot, Cosmonaut.

What is Rakesh Sharma’s marital status?

Rakesh Sharma's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Rakesh Sharma married to?

Rakesh Sharma is publicly listed as married to Madhu.