India’s space story blends national programs, international partnerships, and individual careers that took people off the planet and into public memory. Looking at the people behind those missions helps connect technical milestones to real lives and backgrounds.
There are 5 Indian Astronauts, ranging from Kalpana Chawla to Sunita Williams. For each person the entries are organized with the columns Nationality,Missions,First flight (year) — you’ll find below.
How were these astronauts chosen and trained?
Selection paths differ: some were picked by national agencies, others by foreign space agencies where they held citizenship or residency. Typical criteria include advanced STEM degrees, flight or mission-related experience, and medical/fitness standards; training then follows at the relevant agency’s centers (e.g., mission-specific astronaut training, simulations, and systems instruction).
Where can I verify mission details and first-flight years?
Use official sources first: NASA mission pages, ISRO releases, and government archives for primary records. Complement with reputable databases and published biographies for context, and always cross-check facts (mission logs or agency manifest pages are best for exact flight years).
Indian Astronauts
| Name | Nationality | Missions | First flight (year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakesh Sharma | Indian | Soviet Interkosmos—Soyuz T-11/Salyut 7 (1984) | 1984 |
| Kalpana Chawla | United States (born India) | NASA—STS-87 (1997); STS-107 Columbia (2003) | 1997 |
| Sunita Williams | United States (Indian origin) | NASA—STS-116 (2006); Expedition 14/15 (2006–07); Expedition 32/33 (2012) | 2006 |
| Raja Chari | United States (Indian origin) | NASA—SpaceX Crew-3/Expedition 66/67 (2021) | 2021 |
| Sirisha Bandla | United States (born India) | Virgin Galactic—VSS Unity (Unity 22) suborbital (2021) | 2021 |
Images and Descriptions
Rakesh Sharma
Rakesh Sharma, a decorated Indian Air Force pilot, became India’s first astronaut in 1984 aboard Soyuz T-11 to Salyut 7 under the Soviet Interkosmos program. He performed scientific experiments, became a national hero, and symbolizes India’s early human-spaceflight ties.
Kalpana Chawla
Kalpana Chawla, born in Karnal, India, became a NASA astronaut and aerospace engineer. She flew on STS-87 (1997) and tragically on STS-107 (2003) aboard Columbia. She is celebrated for breaking barriers as the first Indian-born woman in space.
Sunita Williams
Sunita Williams, born to Indian parents in the United States, is a former naval officer and NASA astronaut known for long-duration ISS missions. She set records for spacewalks and cumulative EVA time for women, and maintained strong ties to her Indian heritage.
Raja Chari
Raja Chari, an Indian-American test pilot and engineer, commanded SpaceX Crew-3 and served on Expedition 66/67. Born to Indian immigrant parents, he is notable for leadership on ISS missions and is among the newest generation of Indian-origin NASA astronauts.
Sirisha Bandla
Sirisha Bandla, born in India and raised in the US, flew as a commercial astronaut on Virgin Galactic’s Unity 22 suborbital flight in 2021. She represented commercial spaceflight’s growing diversity and advocated for aerospace STEM and aviation policy.
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