First Indian In Space: The Backstory

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The first Indian to go to space, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, spent eight days in space in a historic mission in 1984

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After Rakesh Sharma's 1984 space flight, India will now send 4 astronauts to space as part of the Gaganyaan Mission

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Rakesh Sharma flew to the space station Salyut 7, with two Soviet (now Russia) cosmonauts - Commander Yury Malyshev and flight engineer Gennady Strekalov

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Rakesh Sharma spent eight days in space aboard the Salyut 7

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The Indian astronaut, who was 35 at that time, and the two Soviet cosmonauts were launched aboard the Soyuz T-11 on April 3, 1984

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Rakesh Sharma was conferred with the honour of 'Hero of Soviet Union' upon his return from space

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The Salyut crew held a joint news conference with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and officials in Moscow

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When Ms Gandhi asked Rakesh Sharma how India looked from outer space, he said the iconic words, "Saare jahan se accha (the best in the world)"

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