Rakesh Sharma is a former Indian Air Force pilot who became the first Indian citizen to travel in space. He flew aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11 in 1984, spending nearly eight days in orbit. During his mission, he conducted scientific experiments and shared his experiences with the world. After his spaceflight, Rakesh Sharma was honored with several awards, including the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime military decoration. He is celebrated as a national hero in India, inspiring future generations to pursue careers in science and space exploration.