Soyuz T-11 launched 1984

Soyuz T-11 launch crew (L-R): Gennady Strekalov, Rakesh Sharma, Yuri Malyshev

Soyuz T-11, launched April 3, 1984, carried the first Indian cosmonaut into space.  The spacecraft docked with Salyut 7.  Its crew consisted of Commander Yuri Malyshev, Gennady Strekalov, and Rakesh Sharma.  

Soyuz T-11 remained docked with the space station until October.  Its landing crew consisted of Commander Leonid Kizim, Vladimir Solovyov, and Oleg Atkov.

Soyuz T-10 launched 1984

Soyuz T-10 launch crew

Soyuz T-10, launched February 8, 1984, was the fifth mission to the Salyut 7 space station.  Its crew consisted of Commander Leonid Kizim, Flight Engineer Vladimir Solovyov and Research Cosmonaut Oleg Atkov.

The crew entered a dark, empty space station with flashlights, noticing a "burnt-metal odor" inside.  They reactivated the space station and conducted three EVAs to repair a fuel line.

Soyuz T-10 returned to Earth April 11, with Commander Yury Malyshev, Flight Engineer Gennady Strekalov and Research Cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma, India's first astronaut and his inaugural flight.  The original crew stayed aboard Salyut 7 and returned to Earth on Soyuz T-11, October 2, 1984.

Happy birthday, Rakesh Sharma, first Indian cosmonaut!

Rakesh Sharma, born January 13, 1949 in India, is the first Indian cosmonaut, who went into space aboard Soyuz TM-11, April 3, 1984.  He is the only Indian citizen to travel in space.  He spent over 7 days in space and returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TM-10 April 11, 1984.