On April 3, 1982, something amazing happened in the history of space exploration between India and Russia. Rakesh Sharma, a 35-year-old pilot from the Indian Air Force, became the first Indian to travel to space. He flew aboard a spacecraft called Soyuz T-11, along with two Russian cosmonauts, Commander Yury Malyshev and Flight Engineer Gennady Strekalov. Together, they traveled to the Salyut-7 space station, where Sharma spent eight extraordinary days.
The Journey Begins
Rakesh Sharma was selected for this historic mission after two years of intense training in Russia. Along with him was his backup, Ravish Malhotra. They faced many challenges during their training, including learning a new language—Russian. Both Sharma and Malhotra didn’t know a word of Russian at first, which made things tough, especially with the training conducted entirely in that language. However, they eventually picked it up, and the training became much easier.
The training wasn’t just about language; they also had to adapt to the freezing Russian winters, where temperatures could drop as low as -30 degrees Celsius. Despite these challenges, Sharma fondly remembers how warm and welcoming the Russian people were. He found that Russians and Indians shared similar emotional values and simplicity.
A Dream Realized
Finally, the day came for Sharma to embark on his journey. When Soyuz T-11 docked with the Salyut-7 space station, he felt a rush of excitement. This was the first time he physically met the five Russian cosmonauts already on board. With Sharma’s arrival, there were a total of eleven space travelers orbiting Earth—a record at the time!
During his time in space, Sharma did some remarkable things. He took stunning photographs of India from above and even practiced yoga to study how his body reacted to weightlessness. He shared insights about life on Earth, realizing that from space, borders and conflicts seemed insignificant.
A Message of Peace
Looking down at Earth, Sharma had a profound realization: “When you go up to space and look down at Earth, you won’t see the boundaries.” This thought inspired him to advocate for countries to work together in space exploration. He believed that if nations cooperated in space, it could help reduce conflicts back on Earth.
Sharma explained that the unequal distribution of resources often leads to conflicts. He warned that if countries began competing for resources in space, the same issues could arise. Instead, he envisioned a future where countries could share their knowledge and resources for the benefit of all humanity.
He suggested that India excelled in satellite technology, while Russia had expertise in long-term human survival in space, and the United States had advanced technology. According to him, instead of identifying ourselves by our countries when we go to space, we should see ourselves as citizens of Earth, united in our quest for exploration.
Inspiring Future Generations
Rakesh Sharma frequently interacts with students, sharing his passion for space travel. He encourages young people to pursue careers as pilots, researchers, or scientists, as these skills will be essential when humanity begins to establish colonies on the Moon and Mars. However, he also cautioned that space travel is not just fun; it’s a tough and demanding experience.
During a live call from space, when then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked him how India looked from above, Sharma captured the hearts of millions by quoting famous poet Iqbal: “Saare Jahan Se Accha,” meaning that India looks better than the whole world.
A Legacy Remembered
When Sharma returned to Earth, he was honored with the prestigious title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He has fond memories of his time in space and the camaraderie he shared with his Russian colleagues. Sadly, he reflects on the loss of his crewmates Malyshev and Strekalov, who passed away in later years.
As he now lives in the scenic town of Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, Sharma continues to inspire others with his incredible story and his vision for peaceful cooperation in space exploration. His journey not only marked a significant milestone for India but also served as a reminder of what humanity can achieve when we come together, beyond borders, to explore the vast universe.
