3 weeks ago
Indian Flag Journey to Space: From Rakesh Sharma to ISS
The Indian flag, called the Tricolour, has travelled very far — even into space.
In 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to go to space on a mission with Soviet cosmonauts.
He carried an Indian flag, and the flag was also on his spacesuit.
Asked how India looked from space, he gave the famous answer "Saare Jahan Se Achha."
In 2025, another Indian astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla, flew to the International Space Station.
He was the first Indian to reach the ISS, travelling there as part of the Axiom-4 mission.
Shukla brought the Indian flag with him, marking the first time the Tricolour reached the station.
He was seen proudly displaying the flag while aboard the spacecraft.
Together, these moments show how the Indian flag is part of the country's growing space story.
Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space on April 2, 1984, as part of an Indo-Soviet mission.
Sharma carried an Indian flag on his flight, and the Tricolour was also represented on his spacesuit.
Asked how India looked from space, Sharma gave his now-famous response, "Saare Jahan Se Achha."
In 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission.
Shukla carried the Indian flag to the ISS — the first time the Tricolour reached the station — and was seen displaying it aboard the spacecraft.
- Who
- Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, both Indian astronauts.
- What
- The first journeys of the Indian flag to space, including the first time it reached the International Space Station.
- Where
- Space — Sharma's Indo-Soviet spaceflight and the International Space Station.
- When
- April 2, 1984, for Sharma's flight, and 2025 for Shukla's mission.
- Why
- The flag accompanied Indian astronauts on historic human-spaceflight milestones, symbolising India's entry into human spaceflight.
Key facts
- First Indian in space
- Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma
- Date of Sharma's flight
- April 2, 1984
- Sharma's famous quote
- "Saare Jahan Se Achha"
- First Indian on the ISS
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
- ISS mission
- Axiom-4
- Year of ISS mission
- 2025
- First flag on the ISS
- Indian Tricolour, carried by Shukla in 2025
Quotes
Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma
First Indian astronaut who flew to space in 1984
“"Saare Jahan Se Achha"”
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