Rakesh Sharma on Gaganyaan and India’s Space Future

Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel into space, remains a revered figure in India’s space legacy. Even decades after his landmark mission aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 in 1984, his enthusiasm for space exploration has not dimmed. Today, as India readies its ambitious Gaganyaan mission, Sharma has expressed deep admiration for the country’s progress and warmly extended his support to the upcoming astronauts.

His comments in a recent interview highlight not only his excitement for India’s advancing space journey but also the inspiring vision he continues to uphold for the nation’s role in human spaceflight. While acknowledging that his active astronaut days are long behind him, Sharma’s thoughtful reflections bridge the past and the future of India’s space ambitions.

Rakesh Sharma’s Historic 1984 Mission and Its Legacy

Rakesh Sharma’s flight into space on April 3, 1984, as part of a joint Indo-Soviet mission, marked a monumental moment in India’s scientific narrative. Selected as a squadron leader in the Indian Air Force, Sharma trained with the Soviet space program and flew aboard Soyuz T-11 to the Salyut 7 space station.

Spending over seven days in space, he conducted scientific and technical experiments on behalf of India. His most iconic moment remains his patriotic reply to then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who asked how India looked from space. Sharma’s response—“Saare Jahan Se Achha”—resonated deeply with Indians and continues to symbolize national pride in space achievements.

That mission not only placed India among the few countries to send a citizen into space but also helped catalyze ISRO’s long-term goals for human spaceflight. Sharma’s experience laid a psychological and scientific foundation that continues to inspire generations of space enthusiasts and professionals.

Support for Gaganyaan: India’s First Manned Space Mission

When asked if he would participate in India’s Gaganyaan mission, Sharma offered a heartfelt and spontaneous response: “Of course. I’m a test pilot. I think I was born a bit too early.” While aware that time and age would no longer permit him a seat on this new journey, Sharma’s words conveyed the thrill he still feels at the thought of spaceflight.

Gaganyaan, India’s upcoming human spaceflight program, is slated for launch between 2025 and 2026. Under the leadership of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), it aims to carry a crew of three Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit for three days. The astronauts will be launched aboard the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HRLV Mk-3), previously known as the GSLV Mk III.

This mission will mark a turning point for India, making it one of the few countries, after the United States, Russia, and China, to independently send humans into space. Sharma, who once represented India in a collaborative international venture, now sees this as a defining leap in India’s self-reliant space capabilities.

Perspective on India’s Private Participation in Space Travel

In his interview, Rakesh Sharma also shared excitement about Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, another Indian Air Force pilot, is scheduled to participate in a private spaceflight, opening a new dimension in India’s space collaboration and exploration.

“This mission gives us a flavour of flying a private resource which can take us to space,” Sharma noted. He emphasized the multiple layers of learning that such missions provide—technological, experiential, and visionary. With commercial spaceflight emerging as a viable route to space access, Sharma sees Shukla’s mission as a crucial learning platform ahead of India’s own plans to build the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.

The Axiom-4 mission, operated by a private American space company, will allow Group Captain Shukla to conduct scientific experiments during his 14-day stay in space. Sharma’s observation that “it’s going to be very interesting at many levels” points toward a broader appreciation of international and private-sector cooperation in space missions.

Sharma’s Reflections on Space Travel and Human Experience

Despite having flown to space decades ago, Rakesh Sharma’s insights remain relevant and deeply human. His reflections on how space travel changes a person are both philosophical and grounded. Offering words of advice to Shukla, Sharma said, “You come back a changed person… over the years, when you go over that experience, it brings in new insights.”

This notion—that space alters one’s worldview—is echoed by many astronauts worldwide. From gaining a deeper sense of planetary fragility to expanding one’s perception of humanity’s place in the cosmos, such experiences can be transformative. Sharma’s space journey, while brief, instilled in him a sense of purpose regarding the Earth’s well-being and the potential of future exploration.

These words, spoken not as technical analysis but as lived wisdom, hold immense value for those preparing to go to space. They serve as a reminder that, beyond the machinery and metrics, spaceflight is a deeply personal journey that shapes how we understand the universe and ourselves.

Gaganyaan and the Rising Confidence of Indian Science

Sharma’s support of the Gaganyaan mission reflects a broader narrative of scientific self-assurance emerging from India. ISRO’s steady progress across decades—from launching Earth observation satellites to executing interplanetary missions like Mangalyaan—has now culminated in its bold pursuit of human spaceflight.

The Gaganyaan mission’s success would demonstrate India’s technological maturity in areas like life-support systems, re-entry vehicles, crew safety protocols, and precision launch mechanisms. Moreover, it would inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. Sharma’s enduring interest underscores that these achievements are not isolated; they are part of a legacy built by visionaries like him.

India’s investment in this field also signals broader national commitments towards research, technological innovation, and international cooperation. Without making political statements or aligning with any bloc, India’s space program continues to follow a path defined by capability, curiosity, and collaboration.

Bharatiya Antariksh Station: India’s Future Beyond Earth Orbit

In his comments, Sharma also touched on the future Indian space station—the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. This proposed orbital laboratory aims to give India a permanent presence in space, allowing extended research in microgravity, astronomy, biology, and materials science.

While the project is still in its planning stage, missions like Gaganyaan and participation in international ventures such as Axiom-4 are expected to lay the groundwork. Sharma mentioned how observations from the ISS can benefit the design and operation of India’s space station, suggesting an evolutionary path in India’s human spaceflight journey.

Such a station could offer India strategic independence in long-duration missions and reduce reliance on global partners for certain types of research. However, Sharma’s tone remained cooperative and open-minded, implying that India’s growth in space need not come at the cost of global partnerships.

Passing the Torch: A Message from One Astronaut to Another

What stands out most in Sharma’s statements is the seamless transition of inspiration from one generation to another. His encouragement to Group Captain Shukla is not just about flying safely but about embracing the deeper purpose of space travel.

“Well, I tell Shubhanshu all the very best, happy landings… it does change you,” he said, summarizing what many astronauts only begin to realize after years of reflection. These sentiments reflect not only technical mentorship but a passing of the torch—a symbolic handover of India’s space legacy to its next custodians.

As India prepares to launch its astronauts into space under the Gaganyaan mission and engage in further exploration projects, Sharma’s voice remains a guiding one. He represents both the past and the potential of Indian human spaceflight.

Vision Beyond a Single Orbit

Rakesh Sharma’s latest remarks come at a defining moment in India’s space narrative. From a lone mission in 1984 aboard a Soviet craft to the imminent independent launch of Indian astronauts, the story of Indian spaceflight is one of resilience, ambition, and vision.

Sharma’s reflections connect these chapters seamlessly. While he may not physically board another rocket, his presence continues to orbit the dreams and determination of India’s space scientists and explorers. His voice, full of encouragement and grounded insight, helps chart the course for future missions—not just to space, but into new realms of human achievement.

India’s space journey continues, with new milestones on the horizon and a legacy carried forward by both pioneers and pathfinders.