A massive crowd gathered at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan in Agartala on Saturday to witness a historic moment—an interaction with Wing Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut. Sharma, who made history in 1984 aboard the USSR’s Soyuz T-11, expressed his excitement about India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission, set to launch next year.
Gaganyaan: A Proud Indian Endeavor
During the Tripura Literature Festival, Sharma emphasized the significance of Gaganyaan, calling it a truly Indian effort. He highlighted how this mission will mark a historic milestone as an Indian astronaut, aboard an Indian-made spacecraft, will be launched from India’s own spaceport.
“Two years from now, the first astronaut to have gone to space fully with Indian efforts will speak to you,” Sharma remarked, underlining the importance of the mission in India’s space exploration journey.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s SpaceX Mission
Sharma also revealed that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, one of the selected astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission, is currently in Houston, preparing for a SpaceX flight to the International Space Station (ISS). He explained that India’s future space ambitions, including setting up an orbital laboratory, will benefit greatly from the technology and experiences gained through these international collaborations.
“His Gaganyaan training has been disrupted for now, but he will return with a lot more information,” Sharma said, indicating how these experiences will contribute to India’s long-term space research and development.
Sunita Williams’ Delayed Return from ISS
Sharma also addressed concerns regarding Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams, who has been stranded aboard the ISS for nine months due to technical issues. He reassured that safety remains the top priority in space missions, adding that Williams, as a professional, understands the risks and challenges associated with space travel.
Rakesh Sharma’s Own Space Journey
Reflecting on his own journey to space, Sharma shared that he never aspired to be an astronaut, as India had no manned space program at the time. His dream was to become a fighter pilot, and he considered himself “lucky to be the first Indian in space”. His mission became a reality when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi chose to send an astronaut from the Indian Air Force under the Soviet Interkosmos program in 1984.
India’s Future in Space Exploration
With the Gaganyaan mission, India is set to take a giant leap in human spaceflight. Sharma’s insights highlighted how this indigenous space mission is a testament to India’s growing technological prowess and self-reliance in space exploration.
As the countdown to Gaganyaan begins, excitement builds for what will be a historic moment in India’s space odyssey—an astronaut, lifted by India’s own rocket, embarking on a mission from Indian soil.